Tag: concussion

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) against Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (concussion) estimated as missing practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is in concussion protocol and would not have practiced Wednesday, while his replacement, Kenny Pickett, would have been listed as a limited participant on the injury report because of a ribs issue.

The Eagles did not practice on Wednesday, so the report was an estimation of how the players would have been listed. Hurts exited Philadelphia’s 36-33 road loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday due to a head injury, while Pickett sustained a rib injury.

Hurts, 26, also has a left finger injury listed on the report. The Eagles (12-3) host the Dallas Cowboys (7-8) on Sunday with a chance to clinch the NFC East title.

Also listed with an injury designation on Wednesday were linebacker Nakobe Dean (abdomen) and running back/returner Will Shipley (concussion protocol). Wide receiver Britain Covey (neck) and defensive end Bryce Huff (wrist) were estimated to be full participants. Covey has not played since the win over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 1, while Huff is in the 21-day practice window to come off injured reserve.

Hurts has started all 15 games this season for Philadelphia and is 248 of 361 for 2,903 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. Hurts also has rushed 150 times for 630 yards and an NFL co-leading 14 rushing scores.

Pickett, 26, has appeared in four games this season after the Eagles acquired him in March in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is 15 of 27 for 148 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

The Eagles have one other quarterback on their roster, Tanner McKee. A sixth-round pick in 2023 out of Stanford, McKee has yet to play a snap for Philadelphia.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Saints WR Chris Olave suffers concussion, taken to hospital

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Saints receiver Chris Olave suffered a concussion and was taken off the field on a backboard Sunday during the first quarter of New Orleans’ road game against the Carolina Panthers.

The Saints soon reported Olave had been taken to the hospital and would miss the rest of the game.

“He has movement in all extremities and is being evaluated at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for further evaluation,” the Saints said.

CBS Sports reported in the second quarter that Olave was alert at the hospital and his vital signs were good.

The injury occurred as Olave attempted to catch a pass from quarterback Derek Carr on the play at the 7:03 mark of the quarter. As the ball sailed over Olave’s head, he was sandwiched between two Carolina defenders and crumpled to the ground.

Olave, 24, was selected 11th overall by the Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft. He began his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

In seven games this season prior to Sunday, Olave had 31 catches for 387 yards with one touchdown.

Olave also was removed from the Saints’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 13 with a concussion.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stands on the sidelines during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa out of protocol, ready to play Sunday

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared concussion protocol and is eligible to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.

Tagovailoa, 26, has been sidelined since suffering his third confirmed concussion in five NFL seasons in a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

He has yet to be activated from injured reserve.

“After going through the process and having a practice where we were able to initiate some contact with him,” McDaniel said, “and then he met with an independent doctor and was fully cleared. He was out of the protocol.”

Miami had been targeting a Week 8 return for their starter.

In his absence the Dolphins (2-4) have gone 1-3 and scored only 40 points.

McDaniel said Tagovailoa has been “fully engaged” with the team throughout his recovery.

“He’s done an outstanding job of not doing anything but controlling what he can control,” McDaniel said. “So in that, he’s put his best foot forward to take care of himself as well as to be the leader of this football team, just in a different way. In all of that, he’s been fully engaged, but he’s also become very aware that he is not interested in becoming a coach anytime soon, that his love is playing football.

“He’s eager as everybody is. If you had any questions about how valuable he is, I think it’s pretty obvious.”

Skylar Thompson (one start), Tyler Huntley (three starts) and Tim Boyle filled the quarterback role. With Thompson and Huntley both banged up, the Dolphins signed veteran C.J. Beathard to the practice squad this week.

The Dolphins selected Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in the offseason.

In his pro career, Tagovailoa has appeared in 55 games and is 33-20 as a starter. He has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 13,122 yards with 83 touchdowns and 40 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) runs with the ball against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Giants star WR Malik Nabers clears concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Giants star rookie receiver Malik Nabers cleared concussion protocol after fully participating in Thursday’s practice, the team announced.

Nabers was evaluated by an independent neurologist after practice and deemed healthy.

However, Nabers experienced groin tightness during practice and that ailment was added to his listing on the injury report.

Nabers has missed the past two games after sustaining the concussion in the final minutes of a Thursday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 26.

Nabers was the No. 6 overall pick by the Giants out of LSU. He has 35 catches for 386 yards and three scores in four games. He has twice caught 10 or more passes and exceeded 100 yards in the same game.

Before Nabers was cleared, New York coach Brian Daboll was optimistic the 21-year-old was close to exiting the protocol.

“Malik has made progress,” Daboll said. “Good progress where he’s able to come out here today and practice. He’ll have a red jersey on, but he passed some of the steps that he needed to do. He’s better, which is a good thing. So, we’ll see.

“I’m optimistic, but I’m not going to push anything. That type of injury you want to be smart with. But he is doing much better.”

Nabers was a limited participant on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, outside linebacker Brian Burns (groin), defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hip), cornerback Adoree’ Jackson (neck) and punter Jamie Gillan (left hamstring) sat out Thursday’s practice.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) catches a pass during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Saints WR Chris Olave (concussion) ruled out vs. Bucs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New Orleans Saints starting wide receiver Chris Olave was ruled out against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers after suffering a concussion in the first quarter Sunday.

Olave made a 5-yard reception from rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler and was injured on a helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Tykee Smith. On his only catch of the day, Olave fumbled and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. picked up the ball and ran 58 yards for a touchdown with 8:54 left in the opening quarter.

Olave entered the game second on the team in receptions (22) and receiving yards (275). In his third season, the Saints’ 2022 first-round pick has 182 catches for 2,445 yards and 10 touchdowns in 37 games (26 starts).

–Field Level Media

Oct 6, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) lays injured after being tackled by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) (not pictured) in the second half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

NFL, NFLPA back Josh Allen’s concussion check

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen was properly evaluated for concussion symptoms before being allowed to re-enter the Bills’ game against the Houston Texans last week, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced Friday in a joint statement.

Allen’s head hit the ground while being tackled on an incomplete pass with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. After receiving treatment on the field, Allen headed to the sideline medical tent. The Bills punted on the next play but got the ball back less than two minutes of game time later when the Texans fumbled.

The Bills ran one offensive play, with Mitchell Trubisky serving as quarterback and handing off the ball, before Allen returned to action.

The statement issued Friday read, “The NFL and NFLPA have reviewed the reports from the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant and Booth Spotters and those reports confirm that the steps required by the concussion protocol were followed in the evaluation and clearance of Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen in last Sunday’s game. The protocol has been jointly developed and is jointly administered by the NFL and NFLPA. Under that program the parties jointly identify, retain and train the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants and Booth Spotters.”

According to NFL.com and ESPN, the statement added that Allen never lost consciousness.

Allen said postgame that he took a “big shot to the chest and rolled my ankle there. They (evaluated) me for hitting my head, but felt good enough to go back in the game.”

On the drive when he returned, Allen led the Bills to a game-tying field goal. However, the Texans wound up winning on a 59-yard Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal as time expired.

Allen completed just 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in the game. This season, he has a 60.3 percent completion rate with 945 passing yards and eight touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception.

The 28-year-old veteran, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has a career 63.1 percent completion rate while passing for 23,648 yards and 175 touchdowns with 78 interceptions. Allen owns a 66-32 regular-season record as the Bills’ starting QB.

–Field Level Media

Sep 26, 2024; East Rutherford, NJ, US; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (1) catches a pass in the fourth quarter before being tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Julian Guadalupe-NorthJersey.com

Giants rookie WR Malik Nabers in concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll wasn’t too forthcoming Friday when discussing the health of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers.

“Yeah, with Malik he’s in concussion protocol. Any other updates, I don’t have for you,” Daboll said.

Nabers did his best to ease the nervousness of his fans after New York’s 20-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday. He wrote “All good” on Instagram before adding “Thanks for all the prayers!!!”

Nabers’ post came hours after he sustained a concussion late in the fourth quarter. He will have to go through the five phases of the protocol in order to play when the Giants (1-3) visit the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 6.

With New York facing a fourth-and-6 from its own 39-yard line and trailing 20-15 with 3 1/2 minutes to play in East Rutherford, N.J., quarterback Daniel Jones rolled left and found Nabers along the left sideline at the Dallas 35.

Trying to complete the reception and keep his feet in bounds while falling out of bounds, Nabers was unable to hold onto the ball. As he came down, his head hit the ground facemask-first. He remained on the ground for several minutes before heading to the blue medical tent. He was ruled out of the game with a concussion shortly afterward.

Nabers finished the game with 12 receptions and 115 yards. It was his second game with double-digit receptions after he caught 10 balls for 127 yards and a touchdown at Washington in Week 2.

The No. 6 overall pick out of LSU in this year’s draft, Nabers has 35 catches for 386 yards and three scores in four games so far. The 21-year-old entered Week 4 tied for the NFL lead in touchdown catches, one reception behind Kansas City’s Rashee Rice for the league lead, and fifth in receiving yards. With Thursday’s stats, he now leads or is tied for the lead in all three categories.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) gets set to take the field prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Colts WR Michael Pittman cleared, can’t remember hit

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. cleared concussion protocol on Friday but said he doesn’t remember the hit that put him there.

“I honestly never saw him coming,” Pittman said of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, who was ejected from the game and later suspended by the NFL for the rest of the season for the hit.

Kazee lowered his head and slammed into the head and neck area of Pittman as he stretched for a pass during the Colts’ 30-13 win on Saturday. Pittman’s head snapped backward violently and he was motionless on the turf for a few seconds.

“I was diving, I caught it and then all of a sudden, I woke up and there’s people looking down at me,” Pittman told reporters Friday. “I was like, ‘Oh, (expletive), what just happened?’”

Pittman, who has 99 catches for 1,062 yards this season, will be able to suit up Sunday when the Colts (8-6) visit the Atlanta Falcons (6-8).

Pittman, 26, said he had mixed feelings about Kazee and the unpaid suspension he received.

“I do think that they were head-hunting, but I don’t think he meant to try to impose a life-changing injury,” Pittman said. “I don’t think any player has that in them. And you never want to see guys lose games and lose that much money. … He has a family, too, and I know that’s a hefty fine.”

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks on during the third quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence in concussion protocol

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is starting the week in concussion protocol and his status for Jacksonville’s Christmas Eve trip to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers is uncertain.

Lawrence suffered the concussion on the Jaguars’ last possession of Sunday’s 23-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, head coach Doug Pederson said. Lawrence finished the game.

Lawrence fumbled twice in the defeat and finished with 264 passing yards and a touchdown pass.

Players in the concussion protocol have to be cleared by an independent neurologist before they can play, and those final approval steps include a limited participation day of practice on the field.

Jacksonville is one of three AFC South teams with an 8-6 record along with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.

The Texans won Sunday without sensational rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was in concussion protocol.

Lawrence made a surprisingly swift recovery from a high-ankle sprain suffered in the Dec. 4 loss to Cincinnati and was cleared to play in each of the past two games, but the Jaguars have now lost three consecutive games — all to AFC North foes, the Bengals, Browns and Ravens.

C.J. Beathard, who replaced Lawrence in the Dec. 4 game, is 2-10 as a starter. He would likely get the call to face the Buccaneers if Lawrence isn’t cleared.

The Jaguars close the season with a home game against the Carolina Panthers (2-12) in Week 17 and spend the final weekend of the regular season in Nashville, facing the Titans (5-9). Jacksonville defeated Tennessee 34-14 on Nov. 19.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears strong safety Jaquan Brisker (9) hits Carolina Panthers tight end Hayden Hurst (81) causing an incompletion during the fourth quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers to put TE Hayden Hurst (concussion) on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Carolina Panthers are expected to move tight end Hayden Hurst to injured reserve as he continues to battle the side effects of a concussion sustained Nov. 9 in a game against the Chicago Bears, The Athletic reported Friday.

In a Dec. 6 social media post, Hurst’s father, Jerry, said an independent neurologist had diagnosed the player with post-traumatic amnesia and added, “Slow recovery, don’t know when he’ll be back. Prayers appreciated!”

The following day, the 30-year-old Hurst added his own social media post.

“I appreciate everyone reaching out & checking on me,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I suffered a pretty nasty concussion against the Bears a few weeks ago & don’t remember up to 4 hours after the game. Scary situation but the Panthers have been incredible walking me through this process.”

In the first season of a three-year deal with the Panthers, Hurst has 18 receptions for 184 yards and one touchdown in nine games.

Hurst spent the first two seasons of his career with the Baltimore Ravens, who selected him No. 25 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, followed by two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and a single campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In 79 career games (39 starts), Hurst has 195 receptions for 1,902 yards with 15 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media