With concussion rates in the NFL continuing to rise at an alarming rate every season, the league has worked hard to take measures to keep players safe and avoid brain injuries to the best of their ability. If players are diagnosed with a concussion they must first clear the NFL’s concussion. Still, the process isn’t perfect and not everyone enters protocols when needed.
As was the case last Thursday night, when the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the New England Patriots. During the game, Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt took a knee to the facemask but medical officials were unable to determine Watt was concussed. As a result, the NFL opened up an investigation into the Steelers’ handling of the situation.
NFL medical director Dr. Allen Sills was asked about this instance after this week’s ownership meeting and he did not shy away from the topic: “I think we put a statement out that said we and the union together are looking into that, which we do in every case,” Sills said during his press conference.
Dr. Sills went on to express confidence in the NFL’s medical staff and their efforts while acknowledging there is room for improvement. “I would also say I maintain an extremely high degree of confidence in the men and women that help us administer our concussion protocol. We’re not perfect, but I think we have set a high bar and standard for ourselves,” Sills said.
Yesterday, Steelers Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten posted on X (also known as Twitter) that Watt “has been cleared by an independent neurological consultant and is no longer in the concussion protocol.”
While it looks like Watt has avoided a concussion and is set to play in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts barring any setbacks, this instance serves as a reminder that the concussion protocol is still a work-in-progress.
