The Monday After: NFL, NFLPA should observe concussion checks remotely

So, the NFL and NFLPA have committed to tighten, by another quarter-turn, the bolts on their joint concussion-diagnosis protocol.

That’s good.

But they could go so much further, and should, to once and for all eliminate any chance of perceived sloppiness, or inadvertent protocol transgressions, or just plain unintended incompetence by on-hand medical professionals at NFL games who (finger snap) just didn’t get the diagnosis right.

Right or wrong, millions are convinced this still happens occasionally — most recently a week ago Sunday when, for all the world, it appeared as though Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was concussed just before halftime against the Buffalo Bills, after the back of his head slammed against the turf, and he got up both wobbling and shaking his head.

But no, we were told by the Dolphins. Tagovailoa only had an injured back, not a concussion, and he returned to play the entire second half. Four days later, this past Thursday night, Tagovailoa was most definitely concussed when his head again slammed hard into the turf, and was so diagnosed.

On Monday, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel announced Tagovailoa will sit out this week’s game against the New York Jets, as he recovers.

As we sadly know all too well in Ontario, after the tragic death of Ottawa high school rugby player Rowan Stringer in 2013 — anyone concussed twice within days can die from such short-term repeated brain trauma. It’s called Fatal Second Impact Syndrome.

The NFLPA and NFL have since announced an investigation into why the Dolphins team doctor and Miami’s assigned unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant (UNC) for that game did not rule that Tagovailoa had suffered a concussion against the Bills.

Until those findings are announced, the players union and league committed Saturday to soon strengthening the “no-go” criteria for immediately ruling a player out from further in-game participation, by adding “gross motor instability,” or wobbliness.

Furthermore, word leaked Saturday that the NFLPA exercised its right to have that particular Miami-assigned UNC fired, for having allegedly made “mistakes” during Tagovailoa’s assessment, and for his alleged poor attitude and uncooperativeness during the current investigation.

That incident aside, I believe if the NFL and NFLPA truly want to eliminate any in-game concussion misdiagnoses, then they need to jointly appropriate ultimate responsibility for these in-game medical examinations. As it is, barely known team doctors and intentionally anonymous UNCs have that responsibility.

Five years ago, I suggested something similar to the following, but am now tweaking it. The NFL and NFLPA should mandate that all in-game locker-room concussion examinations be observed remotely, in real time, via live video hookup, back to what I called in 2017 a “centralized concussion clearance control centre” — or the “5C.”

Technology already is mostly in place, outside of a connected camera in each team’s concussion-diagnosis room at each stadium. That’s because all NFL stadiums already are wired into to the league’s centralized replay centre in New York City via as-it-happens (that is, real-time) fibre-optic feeds.

In my plan, the NFL and NFLPA each would assign a small team of concussion specialists — at least as qualified as any on-site UNC — to work at the 5C, and observe, live, all locker-room concussion checks.

This, to ensure the protocol and examinations are being conducted properly, thoroughly and earnestly. That’s it. Not themselves conducting the examination remotely, in any way. Just ensuring that those tasked to do it on site are acting as expected.

Presumably there’d be no patient-privacy HIPAA violations here. Just medical professional experts observing remotely, for procedural compliance.

Why the small teams of concussion experts at the 5C?

Well, the NFL said after the 2019 regular season that some 375 concussion checks were conducted, in 256 games. That’s an average of less than two checks per game. But there could be two, or three, or more in any one game. And in the early Sunday afternoon window, when there could be as many as 10 or 11 games played concurrently, that means a dozen or two concussion checks, or more, might occur over that three-hour time frame. There would be observational overlaps.

In the setup I suggest, it’d be highly unlikely any unsafe hanky-panky or corner-cutting would ever take place during locker-room concussion checks — sorta like when a kid makes his bed properly whenever mom or dad is intently watching, hands on hips at the door.

In the event of any observed impropriety, or honest mistakes, the 5C observers would step in immediately.

Thus, in the extremely unlikely event any subsequent controversies along the line of Tagovailoa against Buffalo were to occur ever again, it would now be the ultimate, joint fault and responsibility of the NFL and NFLPA — not any on-site medical personnel who, currently, are protected in part by anonymity.

If all this should prove unfeasible, then why not — at least — record video and audio of every in-game concussion check henceforth, with the NFL and NFLPA scrupulously and quickly vetting each afterward for complete compliance?

FIVE FAST FACTS

Lions RB Jamaal Williams leads the NFL with six touchdowns … Bills safety Jordan Poyer leads the NFL with four interceptions … Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs leads the NFL with nine pass breakups … Panthers QB Baker Mayfield leads the NFL with four fumble recoveries … The only AFC teams below .500 are the Patriots, Steelers, Colts, Raiders and Texans.

FAST NEWS

Tests revealed that Denver’s outstanding second-year running back, Javonte Williams, tore his right ACL, LCL and posterior lateral corner, NFL Network reported. Huge blow to the Broncos … Speaking of which, Atlanta placed RB Cordarrelle Patterson (knee) on IR, meaning their best offensive player is out for four games, minimum … Indy RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) might play Thursday at Denver … Buffalo will re-sign DT Eli Ankou of Ottawa, per Buffalo WGR radio station’s Sal Capaccio … Buffalo WR Jamison Crowder broke his left ankle at Baltimore.

MAYFIELD REMAINS PANTHERS’ STARTER

The Carolina Panthers are not moving on from Baker Mayfield as starting quarterback.

At least not this week.

Head coach Matt Rhule announced as much Monday, despite his offence’s general inability through four games to move the ball so much as across the street.

“I think Baker’s our quarterback. We have to continue to find way to help him,” Rhule said. “Baker’s always been a winner. He’s a talented guy that made plays to take the Browns to the playoffs.

“I’m sure Baker would be the first to say he wants to play better. He also needs some guys on offence to make some plays for him at times … We just need the offence to kick in a little bit, and make some plays.”

Carolina, 1-3, ranks last in total offence (262 yards per game), last in third-down conversions (26%) and third last in passing (166 yards per game).

Rhule added that Sam Darnold is not returning any time soon from a bad ankle injury he suffered in August, so PJ Walker remains Mayfield’s backup.

QUARTERBACK RANKINGS

All 32 starting QBs, after Sunday games, with last week’s rankings in brackets:

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo (1) Proved it again. Helluva comeback.
2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (2) Electric, elite play.
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (3) Master took over in 3rd.
4. Tom Brady, Tampa Bay (6) First time in ’22 he was elite.
5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati (4) He’s 2-0 with time to throw.
6. Matthew Stafford, L.A. Rams (7) Played Monday night.
7. Justin Herbert, L.A. Chargers (8) 1,250 yards leads NFL.
8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (5) Sub-standard on third downs.
9. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota (9) Classic Kirkin’ in London.
10. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia (11) Until he proves otherwise.
11. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami (12) Will he return this week?
12. Derek Carr, Las Vegas (13) Solid outing vs. Broncos D.
13. Russell Wilson, Denver (16) Starting to look himself.
14. Matt Ryan, Indianapolis (10) Ever playing from behind.
15. Jared Goff, Detroit (17) Shone without 2 main weapons.
16. Geno Smith, Seattle (26) Still 77% completions, wow.
17. Kyler Murray, Arizona (15) Good in important road win.
18. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville (14) Eagles ate him up.
19. Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee (18) Needs King to run wild.
20. Cooper Rush, Dallas (31) Hey, until he can’t do it …
21. Baker Mayfield, Carolina (20) All still a struggle.
22. Marcus Mariota, Atlanta (25) Hitting clutch passes.
23. Daniel Jones, N.Y. Giants (22) 158 yards per game.
24. Andy Dalton, New Orleans (NR) Nearly did enough.
25. Jimmy Garoppolo, San Fran (24) Played Monday night.
26. Davis Mills, Houston (27) Dink, dink … dunk, dunk.
27. Jacoby Brissett, Cleveland (28) Big plays are AWOL.
28. Zach Wilson, N.Y. Jets (NR) Made amends at the end.
29. Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh (29) Last days as No. 1.
30. Carson Wentz, Washington (30) Most-sacked QB (17).
31. Brian Hoyer, New England (NR) N/A, concussed early.
32. Justin Fields, Chicago (32) 34 completions in 4 games.

1. NFL Monday preview: Sore-winged Jimmy Garoppolo and 49ers face Rams again

2. Kryk’s straight-up picks for NFL Week 4

THIS WEEK

Quick thoughts on Week 5 games (all on Sunday unless noted):

BYES: None. They start next week.

JoKryk@postmedia.com

@JohnKryk