Roger Goodell says NFL is 'prepared to make a change' to concussion protocols
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league will make changes to its concussion protocols after criticism about how injuries to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa were handled.
Goodell spoke in London at a fan forum on Saturday ahead of the game between the Green Bay Packers and New York Giants at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.
“Our job really is to continue to modify those as medical experts or other experiences tell you this is something you can do differently," Goodell said.
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Tagovailoa was originally injured in a Week 3 victory over the Buffalo Bills after being knocked to the ground. Tagovailoa stumbled to get on his feet before being taken to the locker room and returned to play later in the game.
Four days later against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tagovailoa was again injured after hitting his head on the turf. He was stretched off the field and taken to a hospital before being discharged and allowed to fly back with the team. He will not play in Sunday's game against the New York Jets.
The NFLPA eventually fired the independent doctor who treated Tagovailoa after he was injured against Buffalo.
Goodell said there is more talk about concussions as the league attempts to update the protocols and did not give a timetable on when that would happen.
“We understand some of that chatter, but the reality is the protocols are really important. We follow that strictly. We see no indication that that didn’t happen in this case. There’s an ongoing investigation," Goodell said. “We’re really focused on doing that. But we’re also prepared to make a change or two in the protocols because we think we can actually add another element that would make it even safer.”
Players “are getting the most extraordinary care and better than they ever have in the history of the NFL, but they deserve that, and that’s our obligation, and that’s what we need to do,” Goodell said Saturday.
Contributing: Associated Press
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Roger Goodell says NFL will 'make a change' to concussion protocols
