Lions' T.J. Lang ready to 'hit the reset button and continue to play' after 6th concussion
Detroit Lions guard T.J. Lang visited multiple neurological specialists in the wake of his sixth concussion and though they gave him conflicting reports on how brain injuries impact long-term health, Lang is comfortable returning to the game.
The Pro Bowl right guard told the Detroit Free Press his biggest question for the doctors was if they felt safe with him going back to football once he was healthy from the latest concussion, suffered in a Sept. 30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
“And I think most of them said yeah,” Lang said, according to the Free Press. “And that gave me a lot of comfort knowing that, hey, when this thing’s all settled and gone then basically hit the reset button and continue to play.”
Lang’s concussion history
Lang, 31, has had six diagnosed concussions over his 10-year career, averaging out to one approximately every 1 1/2 years. While with the Green Bay Packers he had concussions in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2015, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
In his first year with the Lions last November he suffered a concussion against the Packers. His concussion last month was his second in less than a year.
Lang said he thinks most about his mom, wife and kids when it comes to the health risks of playing football. He said last year he wanted to continue playing “as long as my body holds up,” and he continues to feel that way, noting he thinks the benefits are “much higher” than any risks.
“So that hasn’t changed,” he said. “Try not to overthink it too much. Can’t go out there, you can’t play scared, you can’t try to avoid certain things. Injuries happen, it’s part of the game. I think everybody understands that.”
Doctors give Lang conflicting outlooks on brain injuries, health
Lang visited three or four specialists for their opinion. At least one, he said, warned him about the dangers and a few had different opinions.
“But for the most part it was, ‘I think you’ll be fine to play. I don’t think there’ll be ramifications further down the line if you continue to play.’ There were some tough conversations for sure, but it is what it is.”
His wife, Laura, came with him to a few appointments. The couple have two children.
“She seems to be pretty worried about some of the head stuff with obviously everything that’s going on in the public and with these articles,” Lang said. “But at the end of the day you’ve got to try to make a conscious, educated decision moving forward and I think I gathered enough information to feel comfortable to continue to play when I’m feeling good.”
Lang questionable for week 7
Lang was out of practice for two weeks after his concussion. He returned Wednesday and is cleared to play in Miami on Sunday, but remains questionable.
“[I’ll be] happy for him just if he’s able to go for us,” Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford said, according to Lions Wire at USA Today. “Anytime you get dinged up, being able to get back out there with the guys and at least practice is something that I know boosts his spirits, so we’re happy to have him back out there.”
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