Folks, the NFL will tell you that there are now independent neurologists at every game to determine if players who experience concussion symptoms should be taken off the field and tested for their own safety.
Of course, as is the case with everything involving the NFL and concussions, the theory far outweighs the practice. We found this out last Thursday when Pittsburgh Steelers edge-rusher T.J. Watt was allowed to play the entire game against the New England Patriots after he was kicked in the face early. The team actually attached a visor to Watt’s helmet because he was experiencing sensitivity to light (a symptom of head trauma), but there was no move made to see if he was unable to play. After the fact, Watt was placed in the concussion protocol.
If you think that incident had the league had the spotters watching this any more closely, we hereby present this play that happened with 6:19 left in the first half between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals. Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew scrambled to his right, and he was scrambled near the sideline.
Looks like the “independent neurologist” fell asleep again pic.twitter.com/5OUh3ukIG8
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 10, 2023
Minshew got up as if he’d just been shot in a Western, but nobody did anything about it. The Colts called six straight handoffs to running back Zack Moss after that (highly suspicious in and of itself), and then, Minshew threw a two-yard touchdown pass to tight end Mo Alie-Cox.
4th down? That ain’t no problem for Gardner Minshew and Mo Alie-Cox!
Odds via @BetMGM
Anytime TD (+800)✅💰#Colts #ForTheShoe
— BetFTW (@Bet_ForTheWin) December 10, 2023
That’s great for Minshew, but what about that head injury? I guess he’ll just have to fend for himself on this one. Minshew came in for the Colts’ next offensive series, so it really seems like nobody in the stadium cares about this.
Social media tended to see it the way we did.
Same "independent neurologist" who coincidentally missed all of TJ Watt's concussion warning signs until the next morning https://t.co/X0AEOfiC8K
— Roberto Shenanigans (@Rob_Shenanigans) December 10, 2023
Minshew got up wobbly after getting hit in the head but still in the game.
Even the announcers noted it.
Nice job by the spotters— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) December 10, 2023
They didn’t check Gardner Minshew for a concussion after this play. Watch him after the tackle. pic.twitter.com/Vlj2P4fBCZ
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) December 10, 2023
Not the best look in the aftermath of what happened with TJ Watt. https://t.co/aIEV0LFzdI
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 10, 2023
Gardner Minshew blatantly stumbling and bumbling on his feet after taking a big hit but they don’t make him get concussion check.
— Nick Mensio (@NickMensio) December 10, 2023
Is no one actually paying attention for people with concussions? Good grief @NFL – look at Minshew.
— @Matthew Betley (@MatthewBetley) December 10, 2023
They needed it I have a feeling Minshew will be evaluated for concussion at halftime. Could be Erlinger starting second half.
— Mike Cody (@Mike_Cody1977) December 10, 2023
There’s going to have to be a reevaluation of how concussion-spotting works in the NFL. Gardner Minshew just took a hit to the head and wobbled back to the huddle. No evaluation. On the heels of the Watt miss, this is a bad look for the league.
— Ben Grant (@Ben__Grant) December 10, 2023
