With A Quarter Of The Players Making A Surprisingly Quick Recovery, Debate Arises On Whether The NFL Needs Stricter Guidelines On Concussions

Concussions have always been one of the NFL’s most serious topics to follow along. Since the creation of the MTBI (Mild Traumatic Brain Injury) committed in 1994, it’s been something that has drawn widespread attention, criticism, and controversy. The committee revealed in a 2004 study that 92% of the concussed players returned to the field within a week. And finished the year saying NFL players were less likely to suffer brain injuries than the average population. The truth, however, was far off from that. As doctors found over 96% of the deceased footballers had CTE in their brains, a condition that occurs from taking repeated blows over a longer period.

The league finally acknowledged in 2009 that concussions could have a long-lasting effect on an individual’s life post-retirement. After a decade of conflict with medical journals and doctors, the NFL established its Game Day Concussion Diagnosis and Management Protocol in 2011. Players are bound to follow its strict rules if any of the no-goers are found during checkups. But has that changed things 12 years later?

NFL has a BIG problem in Concussion Protocol

Recent studies concluded that 25% of NFL players can still return within a week of suffering a concussion. While it’s a massive improvement from the recorded 92% in 2004, considering how critical a head injury can be, it is still a scary percentage. NFL Insider Adam Schefter has revealed the statistics in an X (formerly, Twitter) post.

The most alarming example in the recent few years is probably the Miami Dolphins‘ quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. He suffered two confirmed and one suspected concussion in the last season. The following protocols kept him out for five games, including playoffs in the season. That’s less than two weeks on average per concussion. However, Tagovailoa’s concussion in the Bills game in September was particularly scary. The quarterback took a hit from Bills’ linebacker, Matt Milano, and immediately got up. But after taking just five steps, he fumbled and fell before recovering himself again. The referee stopped the play right away and Tagovailoa went out for a medical checkup, and millions of viewers saw the moment live on broadcast.

Tagovailoa himself claimed the fall was due to a sudden spasm he felt in the back muscle by falling on the ground. But it was pretty obvious that the issue was something more serious than that. At least that’s what the doctors and NFL committee believed. Other than the quarterback, the season in general wasn’t safe for the players, as the number of concussions increased at a scary rate from the 2021 season.

Should the NFL bring stricter concussion protocols amid a number surge?

In simple statistics, the NFL 2022 was a horror show for the players, and Tagovailoa was just one of many. The season saw a steep 18% increase in concussions from the previous season, with 149 recorded concussions over 271 games played. And you don’t need to be a medical practitioner to realize that 1.6 concussions per game isn’t something to celebrate. So, the common question arises if the NFL is taking enough measures to prevent concussion-related complications. The answer certainly doesn’t lie on the positive side, despite having a dip in the numbers.

Read More: With Brock Purdy In Concussion Protocol, Will Backup Sam Darnold Be Able To Step Up To The Plate?

The current season so far has around 20 concussions reported throughout its seven match-weeks. The number is still lower compared to last season at this point, even though it’s not confirmed. By this time last season, Tagovailoa had already experienced two of the three reported concussions. However, it’s probably not enough, as the quarterback’s horrific video suggests it’s something to take much more seriously. The league can and probably should consider increasing the protocol time, regardless of the criticality. After all, every concussion can be equally devastating in the long term.

The ongoing season has seen a few big names enter the concussion protocol. From rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson to 49ers‘ QB Brock Purdy, multiple teams have seen their offense take a hit in 2023. But for the safety of the players rather than the team’s gain, the NFL would need to look further and analyze their return period. And potentially increase it.

Purdy will not return for the Bengals game, and backup Sam Darlord may save the day for the team. But can the NFL save the players from potentially life-threatening situations? Time will tell.

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