NFL commissioner says league to make ‘change or two’ to concussion protocol

The NFL is ready “to make a change or two” to its concussion protocol, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell mentioned at a fan discussion board in London on Saturday because the league faces questions about how the Miami Dolphins dealt with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s current accidents.

Responding to a fan’s query about concussions and “current incidents,” Goodell outlined the league’s “intensive focus” on the difficulty over the previous 15 years and mentioned its medical protocols have served as templates for different sports activities.

“Our job actually is to proceed to switch these as medical specialists or different experiences inform you that is one thing you are able to do in a different way,'” he mentioned.

The commissioner took questions solely from followers in London forward of Sunday’s recreation between the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He wasn’t made obtainable to the media Saturday. The league didn’t elaborate on what the potential protocol adjustments are or once they might come into impact.

Earlier this week, the NFL Gamers Affiliation fired the unaffiliated neurotrauma advisor who evaluated Tagovailoa after he stumbled off the sector towards Buffalo on Sept. 25 following successful. The quarterback was evaluated for a concussion, however he rapidly returned to the sport and the Dolphins mentioned a again harm had brought about his wobbly gait.

The quarterback subsequently suffered a concussion 4 days later at Cincinnati and is out indefinitely.

Goodell, with out citing Tagovailoa by identify, mentioned there’s “extra chatter now” about concussions.

“We perceive a few of that chatter, however the actuality is the protocols are actually necessary. We comply with that strictly. We see no indication that that did not occur on this case. There’s an ongoing investigation, ” he mentioned. “We’re actually targeted on doing that. However we’re additionally ready to make a change or two within the protocols as a result of we expect we will really add one other factor that may make it even safer.”

On Friday, the NFL Gamers Affiliation urged the league to implement adjustments in time to guard gamers on this weekend’s video games. In its personal assertion, the NFL mentioned it was engaged on updates to the protocol however didn’t decide to implementing them earlier than Sunday’s video games.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight finish Cameron Brate’ was additionally injured final Sunday when he collided with a teammate close to the top of the primary half towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and was initially allowed to re-enter the sport. He then sat out the second half with a concussion.

NFL gamers “are getting essentially the most extraordinary care and higher than they ever have within the historical past of the NFL, however they deserve that, and that is our obligation, and that is what we have to do,” Goodell mentioned.