Handling of Savage prompts changes

The NFL is implementing changes to its concussion protocol after an investigation into the handling of Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage in a game against San Francisco earlier this month.

In a joint statement Friday, the NFL and NFL Players Assn. said that even though the medical staff followed the protocol, the outcome was “unacceptable” and therefore the protocol must be improved.

After a hard hit in the Dec. 10 game, Savage was removed from the game and examined for a concussion. He initially passed the test and was allowed to return to the game, after which signs of the concussion he incurred surfaced. When he began to show symptoms, he was removed from the game again and taken to the locker room for further evaluation.

“The NFL and NFLPA recognize that Mr. Savage’s return to the game did not reflect the expected outcome of the Protocol,” the statement reads. “As such, the parties have agreed that no discipline will be assessed, but have already implemented several improvements to the Protocol to prevent such an unacceptable outcome in the future.”

The protocol changes include implementing a pilot program using a centralized unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant based at the league office to monitor the broadcast feeds of all games, and requiring a locker room concussion evaluation for all players demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability.

Jets set

The New York Jets announced Friday it extended the contracts of general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles, keeping the pair for at least the next three seasons through 2020. The extensions are for two years each, according to a person with direct knowledge of the contracts. New York is 5-10 and will miss the playoffs for the seventh straight year and the third under Maccagnan and Bowles.

Etc.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue was fined $30,387 by the NFL for making physical contact with a game official during a loss to San Francisco last Sunday. Ngakoue was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after he bumped referee Jeff Triplette while screaming at a player . ... The Green Bay Packers completed one of the biggest items on their to-do list by agreeing with wide receiver Davante Adams on a contract extension several months before he would have hit the open market.