Litigation

NFL to tell teams to keep players out following any concussion or suspected concussion

By Michael Kaplen

The Associated Press reports that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will tighten the restrictions on returning to play following a concussion or a suspected concussion.

Citing information obtain by Fox Sports, it is reported that Goodell will issue a memo this week to all 32 teams expanding grounds for the removal of a player with a head injury or concussion. Under the new rule, any concussion or suspected concussion will ban the individual from competing for the remainder of the game.  Currently, a player can return to the game after being diagnosed with a concussion if he is asymptomatic at rest and under exertion, and is cleared by the team doctor. The lone exception is if the medical staff determines the player lost consciousness, in which case he is ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The report said that if a player is "woozy, has general dementia or memory loss," Goodell wants him barred from returning to a game.

While it has taken some time, it is encouraging to see that the league is now taking a more aggressive stance on concussions.  At least they are beginning to read the medical literature and understand that a concussion can happen even without loss of consciousness and that it takes time for the full array of concussion symptoms to develop.

When in doubt, keep them out!

Read the full AP story here.

Full post as published by Brain Injury News and Information on November 30, 2009 (boomark / email).