NFL sends out memo about concussion protocol after Brian Daboll’s medical tent controversy

The NFL sent a reminder about the league’s concussion protocol requirement following Brian Daboll’s actions.

The Giants’ head coach had to apologize for his behavior during the team’s 34-17 “Thursday Night Football” win over the Eagles at MetLife Stadium.

While quarterback Jaxson Dart was being evaluated for a concussion, Daboll could be seen yelling at team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo and peering his head into the blue medical tent.

“The Concussion Protocol explicitly requires that ‘only medical personnel deemed essential to the care of the athlete may be present for the tent and/or locker room evaluation. This includes the team physician best qualified to evaluate concussion, the Club [assistant trainer], and the sideline [unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant],’” the memo, which was obtained by Pro Football Talk, said. “No other individuals are permitted in the tent or locker room during an evaluation. This includes coaches, front office personnel and/or other players. Clubs are responsible for ensuring compliance with this requirement.”

Daboll explained that he wanted to know how long the evaluation would take as a fourth-down decision loomed.

The NFL initiated a review into the incident on Friday, which will be conducted jointly with the Players Association to investigate whether the Giants and Daboll adhered to concussion protocol in clearing Dart to return to the field.

Teams can be fined up to $150,000 for first violations of the protocol.

“If a club employee or other member of the club medical staff knowingly and materially fails to follow a mandatory step of the Game Day Checklist, the club and individual violating the Protocol will be subject to discipline as set forth in the CBA,” the memo continued. “In addition, a club employee or other member of the club medical staff knowingly, willfully and materially interfering with or preventing a concussion examination shall constitute a violation of the NFL Concussion Game Day Checklist and will subject the club to discipline. Discipline may include reprimand, remedial training, fines and/or the loss of draft picks if it is determined that competitive considerations motivated the club’s failure to comply with the Protocol.”

Daboll said that he apologized to Rodeo.

Giants co-owner and team president John Mara, who is on the NFL’s Health and Safety committee, said that he addressed the incident with his coach.

“I spoke to Coach Daboll this morning about approaching the medical tent last night,” Mara said in a statement. “While I firmly believe, as he has stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands that the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate. We have protocols in place as a league to ensure player safety, and we need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference. We understand the situation is under review by the NFL and the NFLPA, and obviously we will cooperate fully.”