Week 10 of the NFL season, which concluded this past Monday, included several different incidences which all highlighted failures and limitations of the NFL's concussion protocol.
In the Atlanta Falcons' matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, Falcons running back Devonta Freeman left the game with a concussion in the first quarter after taking a hard hit helmet-to-helmet hit from Cowboys linebacker Anthony Hitchens. On the surface, the concussion protocol was followed well in this case-- Freeman was noticeably dazed after the tackle and was removed from play by referee Ed Hochuli, and after medical evaluation Freeman was determined to be out for the remainder of the game and placed in the protocol. But the concerning claims came from Carolina Panthers' linebacker Thomas Davis, who tweeted during the Falcons-Cowboy's game that Freeman had suffered a concussion in the week 9 matchup between the Falcons and Panthers.
Davis deleted the tweet soon after, but he confirmed his sentiments in a press conference earlier today. Freeman left that game in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit from Panthers safety Kurt Coleman. Like the hit from Hitchens, Coleman's hit went unpenalized, although Coleman subsequently received a $24,309 fine from the League. However, Freeman was not placed in concussion protocol and although he was on the Falcon's week 10 injury report leading up to last Sunday's game, he was listed as having issues with his knee.
Obviously Thomas Davis isn't a doctor and isn't qualified to determine whether Freeman suffered a concussion against the Panthers and, if so, how that injury may have affected him in the Cowboys game. But Davis' concern is certainly telling, especially because Freeman missed two weeks back in August of this year with a concussion as well.
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