BEREA, Ohio ? Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy still hasn't shaken symptoms from a concussion sustained nearly two weeks ago, one that has reformed the NFL's game-day procedures on head injuries.
McCoy was not cleared to practice again on Wednesday, keeping him sidelined since he was illegally blasted in the facemask by Pittsburgh's James Harrison on Dec. 8. Browns coach Pat Shurmur said McCoy was evaluated by team doctors and did ?a little physical activity? as he continues to recover.
McCoy has not been seen at the team's training facility this week. The second-year QB, who has displayed immense toughness while being roughed up all season, will miss his second straight game Saturday at Baltimore. Backup Seneca Wallace will start against the Ravens, although Shurmur has not made that announcement official.
The Browns are being extra careful in their treatment of McCoy. It was their failure to check him for a concussion on the field or sideline at Heinz Field that prompted the league to institute a policy of having an independent certified trainer, paid by the NFL, in the press box at games to monitor for head injuries and help identify players who need to be tested.
The league said the trainer will not diagnose or prescribe treatment and can't order players be removed from a game. The trainer will be in a booth upstairs with access to video replay and direct communication to the medical staffs of both teams.
Also, the league will allow medical personnel to use their cell phones during games to get information to help any injured player, not just those with head injuries. In a statement announcing the changes, the league stressed the importance of communication between coaching and medical staffs and urged that ?concussions continue to be managed in a conservative and medically appropriate way.?
McCoy wasn't tested for a concussion until after the loss to the Steelers and was sent back into the game after missing just two plays. The Browns said McCoy wasn't showing symptoms of a concussion, so they didn't test him. Also, team doctors were treating other players and didn't see the impact from Harrison's vicious hit, which earned the Steelers linebacker a one-game suspension he served in Pittsburgh's loss to San Francisco on Monday.
Harrison returned to practice on Wednesday and delivered another shot on the Browns. He believes they should be disciplined for their handling of McCoy.
?If he was hurt so bad, I don't know why they let him back in the next two plays later,? Harrison said. ?Something should be done to them, I would think. I got a game, what should they get??
?
jeremy london butterball turkey fryer butterball turkey fryer yale harvard dan henderson oregon ducks oregon ducks
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.