The New York Giants made a statement on “Thursday Night Football” with a convincing 34-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Giants head coach Brian Daboll also made a head-scratching error that could lead to a fine.
Brian Daboll under investigation for interfering with concussion protocol
According to The Athletic’s Mike Jones and Charlotte Carroll, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced a joint investigation into whether Daboll violated the league’s concussion protocol by appearing to rush medical personnel during a concussion screening of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
“The NFL initiated a review of the application of the concussion protocol involving New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles,” officials from the NFL and players’ union said in a statement. “That review will be conducted jointly with the NFLPA under the parties’ collective bargaining agreement.”
In the third quarter of the game, Dart was hit by Eagles linebacker Patrick Johnson and was clearly hurt, holding his head in pain. The Giants’ medical staff rushed onto the field to check on Dart, and the independent concussion spotter decided the rookie had to head to the blue medical tent.
Per the league’s concussion protocol, only medical personnel deemed essential for the athlete’s care are allowed to be present in the tent for evaluation. Daboll got close to poking his head in, and shortly after that unnecessary visit, fellow rookie Cam Skattebo — who’s also not essential medical personnel — ran in to check in on Dart.
Later, Daboll was seen having an animated conversation with the team doctor. According to Daboll, he was trying to clarify when Dart would be ready to return to the field. “I’m like, is he gonna be good or not, cause I’m gonna call a timeout on fourth down and go for this,” Daboll explained light-heartedly in a postgame news conference.
