“The NFL is committed to the proper application of the Concussion Protocol”, the statement read.
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The league said Sunday that it wants to ensure the concussion protocol is being uniformly applied across all 32 teams..
It’s being debated again after Newton took 17 hits, the second most of his career, in Thursday’s 21-20 loss at Denver in which the NFL MVP had 11 carries.
The hit by Stewart was just one of several blows to the head Newton suffered at the hands of the defending Super Bowl champions in the opener. Only one roughing the passer penalty was called on the Broncos and that was nullified by an intentional grounding call on Newton.
Assessing a player for concussions is a collective effort that includes team physicians, athletic trainers, medical spotters who watch the game from a booth using binoculars or on video replay, and an unaffiliated neurological consultant, also known as a UNC, according to league protocol.
(Shotgun) C.Newton pass short middle to K.Benjamin to vehicle 32 for 13 yards (B.Roby).
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen isn’t necessarily too happy with the NFL’s handling of player safety around the league.
Stewart said after the game he felt as if he led with his shoulder, not his head.
Though Newton was deferential, and even complimented the referees – “I really like the officiating crew”, he said – some of his teammates were far less forgiving. He said, ‘Yeah, I’m good, I’m good.
On Sunday, the National Football League released a statement saying it’s launching a separate investigation to ensure all necessary protocol was followed within medical response to Newton. Do calls get missed because of Newton’s size? “We can hit him in the legs sometimes, but his legs are strong”, Marshall told reporters. “Anything that happens in the game that looks questionable, our doctor and the independent come together, they go and look at it immediately on instant replay and in this case, this happened”.
Now the NFL and NFL Players Association are investigating the response by medical personnel during the game.
They were able to convert on their first three 3rd and long situations – two of which occurred on that ridiculously long 18-play drive that consumed most of the 2nd quarter. Both returned after being cleared.
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Medical officials went on the field Thursday night to check Newton after that final helmet-to-helmet hit and determined he showed no signs of a concussion, as first reported by NFL Network and confirmed by ESPN. Now let us take a look at the negatives. The NFL and the NFLPA will review the findings and recommend discipline.
