What Is the NFL Concussion Protocol?

The NFL concussion protocol is a set of guidelines that are followed by the NFL to help protect players from concussions and other head injuries. The protocol includes a number of measures, including baseline testing, on-field monitoring, and post-game evaluation.

The Steps of the Protocol

The Steps of the Protocol:

1. A player who shows or reports signs or symptoms of a concussion must be removed from the game or practice and evaluated by a medical doctor trained in concussion management.

2. If the evaluation reveals that the player has a concussion, he will be sidelined for the rest of the game or practice.

3. The player will then undergo a gradual return-to-practice protocol under the supervision of team doctors. This usually takes about 5-7 days, but can vary depending on the severity of the concussion and the player’s response to treatments.

4. Once the player is symptom-free at rest and after exertion, he will be cleared to resume normal activity, including returning to full participation in practice and games.

The Role of the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant

The Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) is an independent medical expert who is available on game day to observe potential concussions and make recommendations to the ATC spotter and team medical staff. The UNC program began during the 2013 preseason and expanded to all NFL games beginning in 2014.

If a player is suspected of having a concussion, he will be removed from the field and taken to the sideline for evaluation by the team medical staff. If it is determined that the player did not sustain a concussion, he may return to play. If a concussion is suspected, the player must be evaluated in the locker room by a certified athletic trainer or team physician.

The decision to clear a player to return to play after sustaining a concussion rests with the team physician. However, league guidelines state that players who show certain signs or symptoms (e.g., loss of consciousness, amnesia, complex motor movements) must be transported to an hospital for further evaluation. Players who sustain multiple concussions may also require more time to recover and may need to be monitored closely by team physicians throughout their careers.

How Has the Protocol Evolved?

NFL concussion protocol has gone through several iterations since its inception in 2007. The latest protocol, which was released in December 2017, is a result of the league’s increased focus on player safety. Under the latest protocol, players who are suspected of having a concussion must be taken to the locker room for evaluation.

2010 and 2011

In 2010, the NFL concussion protocol was created. This was a major step forward, as it was the first time that the league had a formalized process for diagnosing and treating concussions. However, the protocol was far from perfect. One major flaw was that it did not require players to be removed from the game or practice if they were showing signs of a concussion. This led to many players remaining in games and practices when they should have been pulled out and evaluated by a medical professional.

In 2011, the protocol was updated to require players to be removed from games and practices if they showed any signs of a concussion. This was a major improvement, as it ensured that players would not stay on the field when they should have been getting medical attention. However, there were still some flaws in the protocol. For example, it did not require players to be evaluated by a medical professional if they had been diagnosed with a concussion in the past. This meant that players who had suffered multiple concussions could still remain on the field and at risk of further injury.

2012

In 2012, the NFL concussion protocol consisted of a player self-reporting any concussion symptoms to team medical staff, who would then conduct an evaluation. If the evaluation showed signs of a concussion, the player would be removed from the game and not be allowed to return that day. The following week, the player would have to be cleared by an independent neurologist before being allowed to play again.

2013

In 2013, the NFL adopted new concussion management guidelines that included enhanced sideline video monitoring and an independent concussion expert on each team’s sideline. The League also increased fines for players who violated helmet rules.

In 2014, the League expanded its guidelines to include independent neurotrauma consultants (INCs) at every game. INCs are medical doctors who are trained in concussion management and have access to all game video footage. These experts can stop play if they identify a possible concussion.

The 2015 season saw more changes to the concussion protocol, including the addition of spotters in the press box who also have access to game video and can contact team medical personnel if they believe a player may have suffered a head injury.

The 2016 season brought additional changes, including mandating that players who show signs of a possible concussion must be evaluated in the locker room or another location off the field before returning to play. If a Concussion Diagnostic Tool is used on the sideline and the player is cleared to return, he must still go through post-game neurocognitive testing before being allowed to practice or play again.

Why Was the Protocol Created?

In recent years, the National Football League (NFL) has been under fire for its handling of concussions and head injuries. In response to this criticism, the NFL created a concussion protocol in 2011.

The concussion protocol is a set of guidelines that must be followed in order for a player to return to the game after suffering a head injury. The protocol includes both sideline and locker room evaluation, as well as follow-up evaluation by an independent neurological consultant.

Players who are diagnosed with a concussion are not allowed to return to the game or practice that day. They must be cleared by a medical professional before they can return to any activity.

The concussion protocol has been criticized by some for being too lenient, and for not doing enough to protect players from long-term damage. Critics have also called for independent neurologists to be involved in the decision-making process, rather than team doctors who may be biased towards getting players back on the field.

Despite its critics, the concussion protocol has been credited with helping to reduce the number of concussions in the NFL. From 2012 to 2016, there was a 58% reduction in concussions during NFL games.

How Has the Protocol Been Implemented?

The NFL concussion protocol is a set of guidelines that are to be followed by NFL teams when a player is suspected of having a concussion. The protocol has three steps: sideline evaluation, concussion diagnosis, and return-to-play decision. Let’s take a look at how the protocol has been implemented.

Preseason

The preseason is used to evaluate talent and give players an opportunity to earn a spot on the final roster. During the preseason, the concussion protocol is in place, but players are not required to sit out if they suffer a concussion. The decision on whether or not a player sits out is left up to the team’s medical staff.

During the regular season, if a player suffers a concussion, he must be removed from the game and cannot return until he is cleared by an independent neurological consultant. If a player showing concussion symptoms is allowed to stay in the game, the team can be subject to disciplinary action.

In-Season

The in-season phase of the concussion protocol is designed to minimize the time needed for injured players to return to the field. Players who are deemed healthy enough to play will be allowed to do so, provided they are cleared by an independent neurologist. Players who are not cleared will undergo a series of tests and evaluations each week until they are given the green light to play.

What Are the Criticisms of the Protocol?

The biggest criticism of the NFL concussion protocol is that it is not independent. The team doctors who clear players to return to the game are employed by the team, not by the league. This raises concerns about whether those doctors are truly independent and whether they are putting the health of the player ahead of the team’s need to win.

Another criticism is that the protocol does not do enough to protect players from returning to action too soon after a concussion. Players may be cleared by team doctors but still experience symptoms that put them at risk for further injury.

Finally, some have criticized the NFL for not making the concussion protocol mandatory for all teams. While most teams do follow the protocol, there have been instances where teams have deviated from it or ignored it altogether. This puts players at risk and makes it difficult to hold teams accountable for unsafe practices.

What Are the Possible Solutions to the Criticisms?

The National Football League concussion protocol came under intense scrutiny this past season. Many have argued that the protocol is not doing enough to protect players from the long-term effects of concussions. In this article, we will take a look at the current concussion protocol and some of the possible solutions to the criticisms.

Improve Education and Training

One solution to the criticisms of the current NFL concussion protocol is to improve education and training around the risks and symptoms of concussion. This could be done at different levels, from educating players and coaches on the signs and symptoms of concussion, to providing more training for medical staff on how to properly diagnose and manage concussions.

Other possible solutions include increasing the independent medical oversight of the concussion protocol, making changes to the protocol itself, and increasing the transparency around concussions in the NFL.

Modify the Protocol Itself

Possible solutions to the criticisms of the concussion protocol come in two main forms: modify the protocol itself or enforce it more strictly. Some have called for more independent spotters on the sidelines, while others want players to be taken out of the game immediately after showing any concussion symptoms. Some have suggested that players should be kept out of the game for a longer period of time, while others believe that there should be more leeway given to players and team doctors.

Whatever solution is chosen, it is clear that something needs to be done to address the concerns about the concussion protocol. The NFL has made some changes in recent years, but more needs to be done to ensure that players are safe and that concussions are taken seriously.

Conclusion

In summary, the NFL concussion protocol is a series of steps that players must undergo before they are cleared to return to play following a head injury. The protocol is designed to protect players from further harm and to ensure that they are able to return to the field only when it is safe for them to do so.

What Is the NFL Concussion Protocol?

Introduction