As the NFL continues to take seriously the issue of concussions, the NFL’s concussion protocol continues to miss players who have suffered head injuries.
The latest example (that we know of) comes from Sunday’s Giants-Lions game. Via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com, Lions tight end Dorin Dickerson said he remained in the game after sustaining a concussion.
Specifically, Dickerson says he “got knocked out” during a special-teams play in the fourth quarter.
“Got a little concussion,” Dickerson said. “Should have reported it. Thought I could get through it.”
A Lions spokesman told Rothstein that Dickerson reported the concussion with 13:46 to play in overtime, after Dickerson dropped a pass and committed holding penalties on consecutive plays.
“I mean, honestly, probably, after we leave here, I probably won’t remember talking to you guys,” Dickerson told reporters. “I’m not trying to make excuses. I’m just telling the truth.”
The truth remains that the NFL needs to find a better way to spot players with concussions and remove them from the field, because the current system isn’t working as well as it should.
It’s also unclear why Dickerson was made available to reporters. League rules prohibit concussed players from meeting with the media. Unless the Lions determined Dickerson didn’t have a concussion, he shouldn’t have been talking.