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IRVING, Texas – The investigations into the implementation of the concussion protocol for both Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Houston Texans quarterback Tom Savage remain ongoing. But at least behind closed doors, the league has acknowledged that each situation was mishandled.
Owners and team officials received updates on each investigation during a portion of Wednesday morning’s session at the league meetings. The reasoning for the breakdown of both incidents remains unclear.
“We had a long discussion about that and how that all went down,” Giants owner John Mara said during a break in the meetings. “Whenever you’re dealing with human beings, there are going to be some mistakes made, and there were some mistakes made. They haven’t completed the investigation, but in almost every case with the concussion protocol, we get it right, but those that we get wrong end up being highly publicized.”
Wilson and the Seahawks came under scrutiny after he sustained a hit to the chin in his team’s Week 10 matchup with the Cardinals. Wilson was ushered off the field and taken to the medical observation tent, but he quickly left the tent after only a few seconds (missing only one play) and re-entered the game. After two more plays and a Seattle punt, Wilson returned to the sideline and was taken back to the tent where he received a more extensive examination.
Under league rules, a player should not be permitted to return to practice or the field of play until a team physician and an independent neurologist consultant clears him. Teams that don’t follow protocol can be fined if the league finds an err in their ways.
An investigation conducted both by the league and NFL Players Association has been ongoing ever since.
This past Sunday, Savage was driven to the ground in his own end zone and the back of his head hit the turf. The quarterback remained on the ground for a period of time and his hands appeared to be shaking. After eventually being helped to the sideline, Savage was examined and then cleared by the Texans medical staff to return to play, but coach Bill O'Brien then asked doctors to examine him a second time. Savage did not return to play a second time.
The league and NFLPA have launched an investigation into the handling of that matter as well.
It’s unclear when those investigations will conclude and what punishment, if any, will be handed out to either team.
The NFL, in an ongoing effort to improve player safety, has instituted what is supposed to be a stricter protocol. League, owners, coaches and players want to get it right, Mara said.
But Mara said, “It’s important because you want to be perfect, but with human beings sometimes, and the emotions of the game, sometimes, mistakes are going to be made.”
Follow Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones.
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