Tag: Concussion

Commanders CB Christian Holmes ruled out with a concussion

Christian Holmes suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter.

The Washington Commanders continue to lose bodies in their secondary. Entering Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, Washington was without starting cornerbacks Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St-Juste, and starting safety Percy Butler.

In the first half, cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, seeing his first time on defense this season, injured his shoulder and was lost for the game. That created an opportunity for second-year cornerback Christian Holmes.

The special-teams stalwart immediately made an impact, breaking up a third-and-5 around midfield to force a punt. Washington would score a touchdown on the following possession.

As for Holmes, he remained in the game and, by all accounts, played well.

Unfortunately, in the fourth quarter, on what appeared to be a Deebo Samuel first-down run inside the five-yard line, Holmes seemed fine, chatting with Trent Williams before he suddenly fell to the ground.

Here’s the play.

Holmes was on the ground for several minutes before he was carted off. Washington immediately ruled him out with a concussion.

Holmes was a seventh-round draft pick from Oklahoma State in the 2022 NFL draft.

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco clears concussion protocol ahead of Week 17 vs. Bengals

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco clears concussion protocol ahead of Week 17 vs. Bengals

The Kansas City Chiefs need a victory on Sunday against their AFC rival Cincinnati Bengals to clinch another AFC West division title and spot in the postseason. The injury bug has hit the team recently, with key players out on both sides of the ball, but some good news has emerged, with a starter potentially ready to play tomorrow.

According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Isiah Pacheco should be ready on Sunday following his concussion during last Monday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Rapoport shared the news Saturday via his ‘X’ social media account, posting that the second-year running back has passed the battery of tests while in the league-mandated concussion protocol.

“Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is expected to play, source said.” posted Rapoport. “He was listed as questionable with a concussion and also a shoulder injury.”

Pacheco was forced out of the game on Christmas Day due to the accidental blow he took to the head from a teammate as his helmet was knocked off and fell backward. The impact from the defender caused a nasty collision as the independent doctor ushered Pacheco off the field for further examination and was later ruled out for the rest of the day.

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton enters concussion protocol

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol.

Four and a half minutes into Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson threw a deep pass down the left sideline intended for wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

Sutton failed to secure the catch and when he fell to the ground, the back of his head smacked the ground. The receiver immediately put both hands on his helmet, one of the signs of a potential concussion.

Sutton was removed from the game to be evaluated for a possible head injury and he was later ruled out with a concussion.

Denver’s offense struggled without its best receiver and the Broncos went on to lose to the Patriots 26-23. After the game, Denver coach Sean Payton confirmed that Sutton has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol.

“It is tough any time you lose a good player like that,” Payton said. “He is in the [concussion] protocol. I think it happened early in the game and there were a couple of adjustments that we made and then you go play. Knock on wood, we have been healthy. That is the first time something like that happened.”

Going into Sunday’s game, Sutton had totaled 58 receptions for 770 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. With the Broncos needing a near-miracle to make the NFL playoffs, there’s no guarantee Sutton will return to the field this season. Sutton will need to pass the league’s five-step protocol before being cleared to play again.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Tommy DeVito clears concussion protocol, returns for Saints vs. Giants

Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito cleared concussion protocol to return to action against the Saints after hitting his head hard on the turf:

There haven’t been many stories bigger in the last week’s NFL news cycle than Tommy DeVito, the New York Giants rookie quarterback who endeared himself quickly to fans during what looked like a lost season.

So it’s understandable that many were waiting with bated breath when DeVito hit his head hard on the turf and left Sunday’s game with the New Orleans Saints to enter concussion protocol. DeVito scrambled and slid to the ground but was hit by Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom at the top of his slide; it was a clean hit by Yiadom, who was not fouled, but the whiplash from it sent DeVito’s head into the turf for what looked like a painful ricochet.

DeVito exited the game and headed to the locker room before halftime for further evaluation by the league’s independent neurological examiner. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor stepped in to close out that end-of-half drive and returned to handle the Giants’ next possession after the halftime break, going 2-for-4 for just 13 yards.

But DeVito cleared protocol and returned in the third quarter. He’ll need to make some plays with his Giants facing a manageable deficit, but the Saints defense is already firing on all cylinders with 4 sacks for a loss of 35 yards against the rookie standout.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Steelers LB Alex Highsmith out of concussion protocol

The Steelers should have both of their starting outside linebackers on Saturday.

On the same day that Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was released from NFL concussion protocols, his teammate and fellow starter Alex Highsmith was as well. This means both guys should be ready to go on Saturday when the Steelers go on the road to take on the Indianapolis Colts.

Highsmith went down early in last Thursday’s loss to the New England Patriots with what was originally called a neck injury but was unable to return.

Pittsburgh is going to need big games from Watt and Highsmith if they hope to break this two-game losing streak and stay in the playoff hunt. Highsmith has had a disappointing year after signing a huge new contract. Coming off of a season where he set a career-high with 14.5 sacks, Highsmith only has 6.0 this year. That’s not to say he hasn’t been productive in other ways but all pass rushers are ultimately measured by sacks.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

NFL and NFLPA reviewing protocols from Steelers LB T.J. Watt’s injury

Did the league and the Steelers handle T.J. Watt’s injury correctly?

In last week’s game, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt took a big hit to the head on the first play of the game. Watt came out briefly during the Thursday night game and went into the blue medical tent but was cleared and returned to the game. Overall, Watt only missed five defensive snaps.

But now the NFL and NFLPA are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the situation to be sure everything was done according to the rules. This is because when Watt reported to the team facilities on Friday he reported symptoms and was placed in the league’s concussion protocol.

The way the process is supposed to go is a player who comes out of the game is taken to the blue medical tent where they are evaluated and questioned by a team athletic trainer and a Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant. If they suspect a concussion or the player reports symptoms, they must be taken to the locker room for a more comprehensive examination.

Watt was never taken to the locker room for a more comprehensive exam so based on what they saw as well as the review of the play from the booth, it was termed to be benign and he was allowed to return to play.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers LBs T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith remain in concussion protocol

The Steelers will continue to monitor T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin held his weekly press conference on Monday instead of Tuesday this week since Pittsburgh takes on the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

At his presser, Tomlin confirmed that both of the Steelers starting outside linebackers, T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith remain in the concussion protocol. It isn’t clear whether either guy will be available for this week’s game.

Highsmith suffered what was originally called a neck injury early in last week’s loss to the Patriots and was unable to return. Watt, on the other hand, took a brutal knee to the head on the first play but after being evaluated was able to return. He played the entire game, only missing five snaps all game long.

Watt reported to the team facilitates on Friday with symptoms which is why he was placed in the league’s concussion protocol. Tomlin also reported during his press conference he believes Watt was evaluated but was unaware that Watt switched to a darker-tinted visor during the game.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers starting outside linebackers both in concussion protocol

T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith are both in the league’s concussion protocol.

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced on Saturday that outside linebacker T.J. Watt had been placed in concussion protocol after reporting symptoms on Friday at the team facility.

So Watt now joins fellow starting outside linebacker Alex Highsmith in the concussion protocol. Highsmith was knocked out of Thursday night’s loss to the New England Patriots with what was originally characterized as a neck injury before being ruled out with a concussion.

Watt took a huge hit to the head early in the game when he caught an inadvertent knee to the head while making a tackle. Watt didn’t report any symptoms during the game and was in and out of the lineup. Watt definitely didn’t look like he was 100 percent during the game but he was evaluated and cleared to return to action.

The Steelers now have a could of extra days to get Watt and Highsmith healthy before they take on the Indianapolis Colts on a Saturday. This game is likely to determine the ultimate outcome of the Steelers season if they still hold even the slimmest of playoff aspirations.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Derek Carr clears concussion protocol, will start vs. Panthers

Derek Carr has cleared concussion protocol, per multiple reports, and will start for the Saints on Sunday against the Panthers:

He’s still listed as questionable for Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers, but New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to start against Carolina. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported news of Carr passing protocol, which was confirmed by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell.

Carr is also dealing with an injured rib and right shoulder — having suffered an AC joint sprain earlier this year — but by all accounts the Saints plan on having him out there. This comes in the wake of his second concussion in three weeks.

Should Carr be playing, even if doctors (including an independent specialist) have given him the green light? That’s debatable. These brain injuries can’t be underestimated and suffering two of them so close together could have long-term impacts. The Saints re-signed Jameis Winston and drafted Jake Haener for situations like this, and they should be able to take care of business against the one-win Panthers with a backup quarterback. But Carr is determined to play and the Saints aren’t going to stop him.

[lawrence-auto-related count=14]

Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson clears concussion protocols

Cleveland Browns rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson cleared the concussion protocols prior to week 14 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson cleared concussion protocols on Friday. Thompson-Robinson was in the protocol for ten days following the Denver Broncos game. It’s unclear if Thompson-Robinson will play against the Jacksonville Jaguars as head coach Kevin Stefanski declined to name a starting quarterback before Sunday. There are many good arguments to start either Joe Flacco or Thompson-Robinson.

The Browns need as many players as they can get from their injured list. The team was depleted of its talents at various points throughout the season. The Browns have done a fantastic job, winning games and remaining focused during these trials.

The team will be prepared to play against the Jaguars no matter who starts at quarterback. It’s good to have options at the most important position, but the team needs a consistent leader to rally behind. The offense needs to find its stride.

Wide receiver Amari Cooper returned to practice today as he continues going through the concussion protocol. The Browns are optimistic that he will play on Sunday. Hopefully, the Browns have a healthy passing attack when they take on the Jaguars.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]