Union backs changes to concussion protocol

The NFL Players Association has agreed to changes to the concussion protocol and is urging the NFL to do the same before Sunday’s kickoff.

The announcement comes in the wake of a review over how Miami quarterback Tagovailoa’s concussion evaluation was handled in Week 3.

“Our union has agreed to change the concussion protocols to protect players from returning to play in the case of any similar incident to what we saw on September 25,” the NFLPA Board and Executive Committee said.

“We would like these changes to go into effect before this weekend’s games to immediately protect the players and hope the NFL accepts the changes before then as well.”

The NFL responded saying changes are “likely” but did not commit to a timeline for when they would be implemented.

“As we have discussed with the NFLPA, we agree that changes to the joint

NFL notebook

NFL-NFLPA protocols are necessary to further enhance player safety. We have already spoken to members of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee and the leadership of the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants and Independent TuaIndependent Certified Athletic Trainers to discuss these likely changes.”

Ravens

Wide receiver Rashod Bateman will miss Sunday night’s game against Cincinnati. The Ravens ruled Bateman out because of a foot injury. Bateman was considered Baltimore’s top receiving threat coming into the season.

Browns

An attorney who was arrested for throwing a water bottle at Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam at the end of a home game last month has been charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct by intoxication. Jeffrey Miller, 51, is scheduled to appear in Cleveland Municipal Court on Oct. 20. Haslam was not injured.