The NFL is investigating “the application of concussion protocol” in regards to Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during Thursday night’s game against the Eagles, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The review will be conducted jointly with the NFLPA as required by the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll was seen attempting to enter the blue medical tent and having an animated conversation with the team’s medical staff as they evaluated Dart. Both Daboll and the Giants could face discipline a result of the incident, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Daboll apologized for the incident after the game and said (via SNY) that he was not trying to rush or otherwise influence Dart’s concussion protocol. Instead, he claimed that he was trying to find out if Dart was “good or not” as he considered calling a timeout and attempting a fourth down conversion, a point he reiterated on Friday.
After news of the league’s investigation became public, the Giants released a statement from team president and co-owner John Mara released a statement that backed Daboll’s version of events while also noting that “the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate.”
“We have protocols in place as a league to ensure player safety and we need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference,” the statement continued. “We understand the situation is under review by the NFL and the NFLPA, and obviously we will cooperate fully.”
Giants running back Cam Skattebo also went to the medical tent to check on Dart during the game. On Friday, he said (via SNY) that he was trying to “calm down” his teammate knowing that the rookie quarterback “wants to be back on the field.”
“We know we have to go through protocol…to make sure we can get back on the field,” Skattebo added.
Given the increasing national attention on the long-term impact of concussions on football players, the NFL cannot afford to take these incidents lightly. Any hint of a team not following concussion protocol could be a major issue for the league from both a liability and public relations standpoint. The Dolphins’ handling of Tua Tagovailoa‘s concussion in 2022 spurred a similar investigation that found that the protocol was followed but needed to be improved.
NFL going to try and act like these protocols matter when they never check Lamar, Mahomes, or Allen. The big star qbs are some how immune to concussion protocols. I remember Allen last year evaded one by saying it was his back when we clearly saw he was hit in helmet.
I was in FL watching the Redskins literally let RG3 limp around on the field during the playoffs. I’m not a doctor, but it was clear he was badly injured.
I remember when they used smelling salts to wake up players
What’s wrong with you “guys”?
Who cares what the NFL acts like? How about you choose individually not to be animals just because someone else has no moral backbone.
Concussions are bad and protecting players is a good thing. Grow up and stop looking for excuses to be a piece of garbage.
emac22 – You need to stop watching the NFL. It’s clearly not for you. Watch soccer instead.
I’d steer emac to watching bowling on Saturday afternoons. Can get pretty intense!
Fun fact: The last Giants rookie QB to defeat the Eagles was Travis Tidwell in a game played at the Polo Grounds on November 26 1950.
That’s awesome. My grandfather was a huge Giant fan from their inception and had just moved into their new house in 1950. I think families start getting a tv in the early 50’s so he probably did not have yet to see this one.
Cam Skattebo was in there because he is actually a board-certified neurologist.
I guess his brains must be in his feet then because the play I saw him get hurt on somebody rolled up on his ankle. LOL