Throughout the 2015 NFL season, fans were frequently advised that a player was entering the "concussion protocol" and would need to be "cleared" before returning to play.  Based on the observations of the sideline staff and a spotter located in the press box above the field, players will be evaluated on the sideline and removed from play if a concussion was suspected.

If confirmed, players then enter the concussion protocol.  It's been estimated that close to 200 concussions were suffered by NFL players this past season, and in some of those cases the NFL concussion protocol missed its mark.

One of those cases involved the failure of sideline staff to remove Rams quarterback Case Keenum from the game after his head was slammed to the ground in the Rams' Week 11 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Another case involved the "clearance" of Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III by team doctors just days after suffering a concussion, which was reversed the following day after an independent neurologist concluded that it was too early to clear him to return to competition.

Concussion Protocol

In light of the issues and concerns that were raised during the season, the NFL will undertake a review of its concussion protocol this offseason.  So what is the concussion protocol?

Despite its fancy title, the concussion protocol is a mere four-page document that sets out five steps a player who has been diagnosed with a concussion must complete in order to be cleared to play.

In 2015, there was no minimum time requirement that needed to be spent in one step before a player is allowed to proceed to the next, but that is one aspect of the protocol which may change for the upcoming 2016 season.

Here is a summary of the current concussion protocol:

Step 1:    Rest and recovery. Players are instructed to rest and avoid electronics and social media.  Some stretching and balance activity may be done if approved by medical staff.  Clearance to proceed to the next step can be given when the player returns to his previous baseline (pre-concussion) cognitive function test levels.

Step 2:    Light aerobic exercise.  At this point the player may begin a graduated exercise program supervised by the team's medical staff.  The activities may include using a stationary bicycle and/or treadmill, dynamic stretching and balance training, with duration and intensity being gradually increased. If concussion symptoms return, the activity is discontinued.

Neurocognitive testing is conducted as the Team Physician, in consultation with the team's neuropsychology consultant, determines is advisable.  The player will be permitted to go to the next step when he can engage in cardiovascular exercise without recurrence of concussion symptoms.

Step 3:    Continued aerobic exercise, introduction of strength training.  The Step 2 activities continue to be increased and weight training is added to the program.  Supervision and testing is continued as in Step 2 and when the player can engage in cardiovascular exercise and supervised strength training without recurrence of concussion symptoms, he may proceed to the next step.

Step 4:    Football-specific work.  Now the player is allowed to perform non-contact football drills (throwing, catching and running) as a part of his exercise program.  Contact is still not allowed at this step.  The player can go on to the final step when he tolerates these added activities without a recurrence of concussion symptoms and his neurocognitive testing has returned to baseline.

Step 5:    Full football activity, full clearance. The player resumes practicing with the team and is allowed to participate in full football activity involving contact. If full participation practice and contact are tolerated without the return of concussion symptoms and the team physician concludes that the player's concussion has resolved, he may clear the player to return to full participation.

However, before the player can play in an actual game, he must be examined by an independent neurological consultant and given an independent confirmatory clearance.

Bradenton Brain Injury Attorneys

Hopefully, each year's post-season review will result in continued improvements to the NFL concussion protocol.  Parents, does your child's athletic program have a concussion protocol specially designed for children?

If your child suffered a concussion while participating in an athletic program and was not given adequate medical attention, please contact one of our brain injury attorneys to arrange for a free, no-obligation consultation.