Tag: Concussion

C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Marcus Williams fined for penalties vs. 49ers

Nearly $60,000 in fines were handed by the NFL to New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers players after last week’s physical showdown.

The NFL issued fines for multiple players following last week’s physical showdown between the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, with both sides accumulating $66,677 in fines after actions that drew penalties and caused some players to exit the game.

49ers cornerback Akhello Withershpoon was hit with a $28,075 fine after he concussed Saints tight end Jared Cook on a helmet-to-helmet collision late in the first quarter, per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. That amount is the minimum players can be penalized for as a first offense when committing impermissible use of the helmet; a second offense would cost him $56,156. Cook entered the NFL concussion protocol after that play, and did not return to the game, though the Saints expect him to suit up for Monday night’s game with the Indianapolis Colts.

On the Saints’ side, rookie defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was also fined $28,075 after a helmet-to-helmet hit on 49ers fullback Kyle Jusczyk, per a report from Amie Just of Nola.com. Gardner-Johnson was midway through the act of tackling Jusczyk around his waist when the fullback slid to the ground, clashing helmets with the defender. The rookie had previously been fined $21,000 for an illegal hit against Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, which he contested.

Additionally, Just reported that third-year safety Marcus Williams drew a $10,527 fine following a face mask penalty during his end-of-game tackle of 49ers tight end George Kittle. Kittle’s long catch-and-run reception would have scored a touchdown if Williams had not stopped him — even doing so illegally — so this is one foul he’ll have to grudgingly accept.

All-star wide receiver Michael Thomas was struck with his own $10,527 fine for a face mask penalty against the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year, so they’re in this boat together. A second offense of this nature would climb to a $21,056, so it’s obviously not an experience either of them is eager to repeat.

The only silver lining here is what the NFL and NFL Players Association agree to do with the money collected by fining players: it is used to benefit the medical costs and post-football careers of retired players through the Gene Upshaw Players Association’s Players Assistance Trust and NFL Player Care Foundation.

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Jared Cook ruled out vs. 49ers with a concussion

The New Orleans Saints ruled out tight end Jared Cook with a concussion during their Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

The New Orleans Saints announced that starting tight end Jared Cook will not return to Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers after suffering a concussion early in the first quarter. Cook was slow to get up after he took a strike to the head on his second touchdown catch in as many possessions, and had to be escorted to the locker room for further evaluations by the independent NFL neurologist and Saints medical staff.

It was looking like a breakout game for the veteran tight end, who has really come along in recent weeks after spending more time with quarterback Drew Brees. His loss makes the Saints dangerously thin at tight end; backup Josh Hill is the only other active tight end on the team, though reserve quarterback Taysom Hill can fill in temporarily.

New Orleans waived third-year reserve Dan Arnold and lost practice squad call-up Jason Vander Laan earlier this week. Their only remaining option is practice squad project Mitchell Loewen, who has only played defensive end in the NFL and isn’t eligible to be activated today.

Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery for Cook. Brain injuries like this can linger, and he’s already missed time earlier this season with an ankle injury. His high moments have been impressive but this setback is just the latest missed opportunity for him.

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Texans-Patriots Wednesday injury report: Justin Reid getting over his concussion

Houston Texans safety Justin Reid was a full participant in Wednesday’s practice for Week 13 as he recovers from a concussion.

The Houston Texans held their first practice of Week 13 as they prepare for the New England Patriots in a Sunday Night Football showdown at NRG Stadium.

Safety Justin Reid, who missed Week 12’s 20-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts with a concussion, was a full participant in practice.

Full participant

DE Carlos Watkins (hamstring)

Limited participant
DE Angelo Blackson Shoulder
CB Gareon Conley Hip
WR Will Fuller Hamstring
G/T Tytus Howard Knee
CB Lonnie Johnson Ankle
CB Bradley Roby Hamstring
OLB Brennan Scarlett Shoulder
Full participant
S Mike Adams Concussion
S Justin Reid Concussion

The Patriots had eight players not participate in practice due to illness, including cornerback Stephon Gilmore. For more information, check out Patriots Wire.

Report: Josh Hill suffered ‘mild’ concussion vs. Buccaneers

The New Orleans Saints lost backup tight end Josh Hill with a concussion, which one report described as a mild injury rather than serious.

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The New Orleans Saints lost a big part of their offense on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when backup tight end Josh Hill was ruled out from returning to the game with a concussion. Hill isn’t the pass-catching threat many would expect a valued Saints tight end to perform as, but he fills a critical role in the offense as one of their best blockers. Saints coach Sean Payton described his loss as like losing the front door to a house, requiring a quick scramble to adjust his playsheet.

Fortunately, Hill appears to have escaped a serious brain injury. Per Larry Holder of The Athletic, Hill’s concussion was described as mild, though the team still took all precautions to protect his health. Hill was a limited participant in practice on the Wednesday Saints injury report, which is encouraging. It’s worth noting that he was limited in practice throughout the week before the Buccaneers game with a calf issue, though it didn’t slow him down in the game.

Hill has averaged nearly 39 snaps per game this season, often outplaying big free agent signing Jared Cook. Still, it isn’t really fair to compare the two of them given their vastly different skills sets; Hill is a blocker first and a receiver second, while the Saints spent the summer suggesting Cook’s arrival would allow them to open up a part of the playbook once designed for Jimmy Graham. If Cook continues to catch touchdowns like his high-flying grab against Tampa Bay, he might end up earning that adulation.

Even if this latest concussion is only a minor hurdle, fans should remember that it’s the third brain injury in as many years for Hill. He exited last year’s NFC championship game with a concussion and dealt with another one early in the 2017 season. Here’s hoping this isn’t the beginning of a trend like the series of concussions that ended Coby Fleener’s Saints career.

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Texans-Colts Monday injury report: Justin Reid deals with a concussion

The Houston Texans released their Monday injury report, and while the club didn’t practice, they gave an estimation of participation.

The Houston Texans released their Monday injury report ahead of their Week 12 Thursday night encounter with the Indianapolis Colts.

While the Texans didn’t have practice officially, they did release an injury report with an estimation of what participation would have been like. If it had been a full blown practice, starting safety Justin Reid would have not been able to participate and would have been dealing with a concussion and shoulder injury.

Did not participate
S Mike Adams Concussion
CB Lonnie Johnson Ankle
S Justin Reid Concussion/shoulder
Limited participation
ILB Dylan Cole Knee
WR Will Fuller Hamstring
S Tashaun Gipson Back
G/T Tytus Howard Knee
CB Bradley Roby Hamstring
Full participation

QB Deshaun Watson (ankle)

The Colts had a whole slew of non-participants. For more on Indianapolis’ injuries, check out our colleagues at Colts Wire.

Sean Payton can’t undersell the importance of backup tight end Josh Hill

The New Orleans Saints lost backup tight end Josh Hill with a concussion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, forcing coach Sean Payton’s hand.

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The New Orleans Saints offense took a big hit in Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when backup tight end Josh Hill exited with a concussion. There probably aren’t many coaches around the league who have to retool their playsheet with the loss of a backup tight end, but Saints coach Sean Payton puts immense value on Hill’s abilities to help his team.

It isn’t that Hill is some elite pass-catcher; his knowledge of the offense and effectiveness as a blocker from any alignment creates opportunities for everyone else. He’s averaged 39 snaps per game this season and logged 32 against the Buccaneers before being ruled out with this injury. His absence forced Payton to huddle up with his players and assistants, and make a lot of adjustments mid-game.

“We lost Josh Hill, and Josh is one of those guys that may be somewhat under the radar, but losing him was like losing your front door,” Payton said during his postgame media availability. “All of a sudden there are 58 plays on the call sheet and he was involved in a lot of them, so we spent a lot of time trying to re-personnel group some of our plays — which ones we still want to run and which ones can we not run.”

Payton was spotted sitting on the bench next to running back Alvin Kamara and reserve quarterback Taysom Hill, reviewing his playsheet and going over adjustments with them. It’s rare to see him leave his spot on the sideline for any length of time, but Hill’s loss necessitated it: “So, there was the better part of a quarter going back through all of our offense that was maybe plays that were Josh Hill friendly. Now, can we still run those plays with someone else or not? That is something that took a bit of time.”

This hopefully won’t be a lingering issue for Hill, but concussions are tricky. These brain injuries can sideline players for weeks and leave damage that lasts past their playing days. He was concussed early in last year’s NFC championship game, and missed time back in 2017 with another concussion, making this instance his third reported brain injury. One of his former Saints teammates, Coby Fleener, ended his playing career after a series of concussions, so Hill is well aware of the danger these injuries pose. Here’s hoping it isn’t that serious.

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Saints rule out Josh Hill vs. Buccaneers with concussion

The New Orleans Saints lost backup TE Josh Hill during their game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a concussion, leaving them shorthanded.

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The New Orleans Saints ruled backup tight end Josh Hill out for the rest of their game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team announced Sunday. Hill suffered a concussion during the first half and was not cleared to return by team medical staff.

It’s made the Saints short-handed at the position, with Jared Cook the only active tight end left in the game. Third-year reserve Dan Arnold was a healthy scratch before kickoff, though the Saints can shift do-it-all quarterback Taysom Hill into the tight end spot in a pinch.

One other adjustment the Saints can make in Hill’s absence is the use of extra offensive linemen in heavy personnel packages. They went to that exact look early in the fourth quarter for a short-yardage situation, sending backup blockers Will Clapp and Patrick Omameh out to reinforce the formation — meaning every active offensive lineman was on the field at the same time. Quarterback Drew Brees ended up leaping over the top of the line to pick up a fresh set of downs.

Hopefully Hill won’t be plagued by concussion symptoms in the coming weeks. He was limited in practice throughout the past week with a calf injury, though it obviously didn’t prevent him from suiting up. The Saints lack depth at tight end and haven’t gotten consistent production out of Cook to this point in the season. Still, Hill’s health is what is most important, and he shouldn’t rush to return from this brain injury.

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