The NFL has had numerous shortcomings with its concussion protocol this season, and one of them appeared to take place on football’s biggest stage Sunday night.
Midway through the third quarter of Super Bowl LII, Patriots safety Patrick Chung was very slow getting to his feet after he helped make a tackle on Jay Ajayi. As Chung laid on the turf for a few seconds, Ajayi appeared to signal to the sideline that the defensive back was dazed or unconscious. Here’s a video:
Jay Ajayi literally put Patrick Chung in the concussion protocol pic.twitter.com/6QHdrTaetI
— Chris Spags (@ChrisSpags) February 5, 2018
Referee Gene Steratore helped Chung to his feet before New England’s medical team came onto the field. Chung was examined on the sideline and returned to the game, eventually leaving with a concussion late in the fourth quarter after hurting himself on another tackle.
Veteran All-Pro offensive tackle Joe Thomas called the NFL out for failing to do its job once again.
How the hell is Patrick Chung allowed back in the game? @nflcommish Concussion protocol fails another player.
— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) February 5, 2018
The big question is whether Chung actually suffered the concussion on that initial Ajayi tackle. It certainly looked like a situation where one of the NFL’s independent spotters should have stepped in and demanded that he have a full examination. Patriots wide receiver Brandin Cooks was sent to the locker room earlier in the game after he remained down on the turf following a hit, and the play with Chung didn’t look all that different.
There have been numerous cases of the NFL’s concussion protocol failing this season, most notably with a terrifying play involving Texans quarterback Tom Savage. The league has vowed to address the issues, but we can probably expect something far less than perfect yet again in 2018.
