Roger Goodell – Change or two coming to concussion protocol

LONDON — 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 on how the Miami Dolphins dealt with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s latest accidents.

Responding to a fan’s query about concussions and “latest incidents,” Goodell outlined the league’s “intensive focus” on the problem 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 change these as medical consultants or different experiences let you know that is one thing you are able to do otherwise,'” he mentioned.

The commissioner took questions solely from followers in London forward of Sunday’s sport 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 modifications are or once they might come into impact.

Earlier this week, the NFL Gamers Affiliation fired the unaffiliated neurotrauma guide who evaluated Tagovailoa after he stumbled off the sector in opposition to Buffalo on Sept. 25 following a success. The quarterback was evaluated for a concussion, however he shortly returned to the sport and the Dolphins mentioned a again harm had precipitated 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 essential. We observe that strictly. We see no indication that that did not occur on this case. There’s an ongoing investigation, ” he mentioned. “We’re actually centered on doing that. However we’re additionally ready to make a change or two within the protocols as a result of we expect we are able to really add one other factor that might make it even safer.”

On Friday, the NFL Gamers Affiliation urged the league to implement modifications 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 in opposition to 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 probably 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.