The NFL has taken new strides to improve concussion care, but one player appears to have been mishandled on Sunday.
Tom Savage was allowed to play a series in the second quarter of the Houston Texans’ game against the San Francisco 49ers despite appearing to have suffered a concussion.
Savage was hit by San Francisco’s Elvis Dumervil near the end zone. He could be seen shaking and spasming after the hit:
Tom Savage hits head on ground, appears to have seizure while ref looks on, comes back in the game 5 minutes later. pic.twitter.com/gW9lYxDIwQ
— TheRenderNFL (@TheRenderNFL) December 10, 2017
The spasms are a classic reaction to having a concussion. Savage went into the medical tent, but despite his reaction to the hit, he was allowed to play in the Texans’ next offensive series.
After a 3-and-out possession, Savage did not return to the game. He was replaced by backup T.J. Yates instead.
Savage was later declared out for the game with a concussion.
We know the hit that concussed Savage. And we know Savage returned to play a series afterwards before being removed. Those monitoring the game clearly missed one in this case.
