Why did Cameron Brate go back into the game with a concussion?
During the first half of Sunday night’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate collided with teammate Chris Godwin after catching a pass, and was slow to get up.
Brate took so much time and effort to get off the field, that the Bucs were flagged for having too many players.
But despite clearly getting his bell rung, Brate ended up back on the field, getting three targets on Tampa Bay’s final drive of the half. When the Bucs came back from the break, Brate was ruled out for the rest of the game, and was in concussion protocol.
So, how did Brate end up back in the game?
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles explained how the situation unfolded (via Greg Auman of The Athletic):
Todd Bowles, explaining Cam Brate's concussion: "He went on the sideline. He complained of shoulder discomfort, nothing about his head. He was checked out three times. He said 'Give him a minute.' Nothing came up. He went back in 'til the end of the half."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 3, 2022
More Todd Bowles on Cam Brate's concussion: "At halftime, he started having symptoms. Obviously they were delayed. He started complaining about that. They tested him. He was in the protocol and we kept him out the rest of the game."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 3, 2022
Bowles said "nobody called down" about Brate, suggesting the NFL spotter upstairs didn't send down any additional flag about Brate having a potential concussion, despite him running straight into Chris Godwin, going down and having to leave the game.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 3, 2022
So, there’s your explanation, even if it’s one that still points to the shortcomings of the NFL’s concussion protocols.
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