NFL fines Giants $200K for violating concussion protocol vs. Eagles; Brian Daboll, Cam Skattebo also fined
Dart exited the Eagles-Giants game late in the third quarter after being sacked by Patrick Johnson. He held his head on the field before being attended to by New York medical staff. The first-round pick managed to run off the field under his own power and into the blue medical tent on the sideline.
Russell Wilson replaced Dart on two plays, passing the ball and throwing an incomplete throw. The Giants punted, Dart was eventually cleared, and the quarterback returned to play to finish the game on the next drive.
During Dart’s evaluation in the blue medical tent on the sideline, the NFL and NFLPA found that Daboll and Skattebo entered the tent and began speaking to Dart before his evaluation was complete, “which appeared to interfere with Dart’s examination.”
The NFL-NFLPA joint statement said, “Although both parties agreed that Coach Daboll and Mr. Skattebo’s actions had no significant impact on Mr. Dart’s examination or the care he received,” “their conduct was inconsistent with and demonstrated a disregard for the requirements of the concussion protocol, and therefore constituted a violation.”
The concussion protocol states that “only medical personnel deemed essential to the athlete’s care may be present for tent and/or locker room evaluations. This includes the team physician, club athletic trainer, and neurotrauma consultants unaffiliated with the sideline who are best qualified to evaluate concussions.”
The NFL and NFLPA also noted that the Giants have taken “immediate corrective steps to prevent any similar violations in the future,” including cooperating with the review, conducting additional training with club staff and players, and taking further steps to ensure that only authorized personnel enter the medical tent during concussion checks.
Daboll stated after the game that he apologized to the team doctor for his actions.
“I just came to see how our quarterback was doing,” Daboll said at the time. “I would never want a player to return to the field not ready to play. I fully respect that process.”
Giants owner John Mara said in a statement after the review began that Daboll’s actions seemed “inappropriate.”
The penalty on New York comes as the Giants (2-5) prepare to face the Eagles (5-2) again on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern time at Lincoln Financial Field.