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 treated quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s contemporary accidents.
Responding to a fan’s query about concussions and “recent incidents,” Goodell defined the league’s “intensive focus” at the factor over the last 15 years and mentioned its scientific protocols have served as templates for different sports activities.
“Our job really is to continue to modify those as medical experts or other experiences tell you this is something you can do differently,'” he mentioned.
The commissioner took questions simplest from fanatics in London forward of Sunday’s sport between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He wasn’t made to be had to the media Saturday. The league didn’t elaborate on what the possible protocol adjustments are or when they may come into impact.
Earlier this week, the NFL Players Association fired the unaffiliated neurotrauma guide who evaluated Tagovailoa after he stumbled off the sector in opposition to Buffalo on Sept. 25 following successful. The quarterback was once evaluated for a concussion, however he briefly returned to the sport and the Dolphins mentioned a again damage had brought about his wobbly gait.
The quarterback therefore suffered a concussion 4 days later at Cincinnati and is out indefinitely.
Goodell, with out mentioning Tagovailoa through title, mentioned there may be “more chatter now” about concussions.
“We understand some of that chatter, but the reality is the protocols are really important. We follow that strictly. We see no indication that that didn’t happen in this case. There’s an ongoing investigation, ” he mentioned. “We’re really focused on doing that. But we’re also prepared to make a change or two in the protocols because we think we can actually add another element that would make it even safer.”
On Friday, the NFL Players Association suggested the league to put into effect adjustments in time to offer protection to avid gamers on this weekend’s video games. In its personal remark, the NFL mentioned it was once running on updates to the protocol however didn’t devote to enforcing them sooner than Sunday’s video games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight finish Cameron Brate was once additionally injured final Sunday when he collided with a teammate close to the top of the primary part in opposition to the Kansas City Chiefs and was once to begin with allowed to reenter the sport. He then sat out the second one part with a concussion.
NFL avid gamers “are getting the most extraordinary care and better than they ever have in the history of the NFL, but they deserve that, and that’s our obligation, and that’s what we need to do,” Goodell mentioned.