Concussion plan will be revamped
The NFL and the players’ union announced a series of changes Friday to the way potential concussions are handled during games following an incident in which Houston quarterback Tom Savage returned to the field after a hit left him on the ground, arms shaking.
Among the changes is the addition of an expert watching games from a central location with the authority to alert sideline medical teams to look into an incident. And if a player shows signs of a seizure or similar responses, as Savage did, he will be removed from the game and cannot return.
The jarring injury to Savage prompted a joint review of concussion protocol by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. He was hurt in the second quarter of the Texans’ 26-16 loss to the 49ers on Dec. 10 when he was driven to the ground on a hit by Elvis Dumervil.
Savage threw two incompletions on the ensuing possession, and Houston’s team doctor approached him after he returned to the sideline at the end of that possession. He was evaluated again and taken to the locker room after it was determined that he did have a concussion.
The NFL said the Texans would not be fined for the incident. The review determined that the medical staff followed protocol but his return to the game was “unacceptable.”
“I think we handled it the way it was supposed to be handled,” Houston head coach Bill O’Brien said. “It’s always about trying to do the right thing, doing the right thing by the player.” It’s a deal: The Jets announced that they have extended the contracts of general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles through 2020.
“During their time here, they have worked together to help the organization build a foundation on which to grow,” acting owner Christopher Johnson said in a statement. “They are identifying, developing, and getting productivity out of our players. I believe we are headed in the right direction.” QB updates: Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck, who has missed the season following surgery on his right shoulder, says he hopes to participate in the team’s offseason workouts. Luck had surgery in January to repair a partially torn labrum in his right shoulder, didn’t start throwing until October and then was shut down because of lingering pain.
“The pain has significantly gone down and that’s why I’m so optimistic,” Luck said. “I believe in the process I’m in right now.”
Giants GM Dave Gettleman, who was hired Thursday, said he has not identified a replacement for recently fired head coach Ben McAdoo but that he wants quarterback Eli Manning back as his starter. Injury report: Houston receiver DeAndre Hopkins will miss a game for the first time in his five-year career, Sunday’s matchup with the Colts, because of a calf injury. Hopkins leads the NFL with 13 touchdown catches and is second in the league with 1,378 yards receiving . ... Among other players who will miss their team’s regular-season finale Sunday are Tennessee running back DeMarco Murray (sprained knee), Giants tight end Evan Engram (ribs) and wide receiver Sterling Shepard (neck), and Green Bay receivers Davante Adams (concussion) and Jordy Nelson (shoulder). Briefly: Rookie running back Khalfani Muhammad, a seventh-round pick from Cal, was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster by the Titans. ... Jacksonville defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has been fined $30,387 by the NFL for making contact with a game official during a loss to the 49ers on Sunday.