League: Panthers followed protocol
The Panthers will not be punished for their handling of Cam Newton’s injury during a playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 7.
The NFL and the Players Association announced Wednesday that Carolina’s medical staff correctly followed concussion protocol guidelines.
The league released a statement Wednesday saying it reviewed game footage and medical reports, as well as statements and interviews with Newton and coach Ron Rivera, before making its determination that “there was no protocol violation.”
After walking off the field with a second-half eye injury, Newton stumbled to the ground near the sideline when asked by trainers to take a knee.
The league said they believe that stumble was caused by a previous knee injury.
Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Newton will not need surgery on the knee.
Newton sat out one play, but returned on the next offensive series and finished the game.
Hurney said on Jan. 8 that Newton intentionally took a knee because he was told to by the team’s training staff so Carolina could get an official timeout, thus allowing backup quarterback Derek Anderson a little more time to warm up on the sideline.
Up for debate in the investigation was whether Newton should have been taken to the locker room for evaluations.
The league and the players union
changed its concussion protocol in December.
The changes to the protocol include the requirement of a locker room concussion evaluation for all players “demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability (e.g., stumbling or falling to the ground when trying to stand.)”
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