(London) The NFL is ready “to make a change or two” to its concussion protocol, commissioner Roger Goodell has said.
Posted at 1:35 p.m.
Goodell made the announcement at a forum in London on Saturday as the league faces questions about how the Miami Dolphins handled quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s recent injuries.
Responding to a fan’s question about concussions and “recent incidents,” Goodell pointed to the NFL’s “intensive focus” on these issues over the past 15 years. He added that the league’s medical protocols had served as models for other sports.
“Our job is really to keep changing them because medical experts or other experiences tell us that’s something we can do differently,” Goodell mentioned.
PHOTO ALBERTO PEZZALI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Commissioner Roger Goodell is in London ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants on Sunday.
The commissioner only responded to fans in London ahead of Sunday’s game between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was not made available to the media on Saturday. The NFL has not specified what the potential changes are or when they might go into effect.
Earlier this week, the NFL Players Association fired an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who evaluated Tagovailoa after he fell on the field against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25.
The quarterback was assessed for a concussion but quickly returned to action. The Dolphins said a back injury caused his shaky gait.
Tagovailoa suffered a concussion just four days later in Cincinnati and is now sidelined indefinitely.
Goodell, without naming Tagovailoa, said there is “more talk now” about concussions.
“We understand some of these discussions, but the reality is that protocols are really important. We follow them strictly. We saw no indication that it was not followed in this particular case. There is an ongoing investigation, Goodell said. Our focus is on that, but we are prepared to make one or two changes to the protocol. We think we can add another element that would make it even safer. »
On Friday, the NFL Players Association urged the league to implement changes to protect players in games this weekend. In its own statement, the NFL said it was working on protocol updates, but had not committed to implementing them before Sunday’s games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers slotback Cameron Brate was also injured Sunday when he collided with a teammate before the end of the first half of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He was initially allowed back into the game, but then missed the second half with a concussion.