New York (AFP) – The New York Giants were fined $200,000 by the NFL on Friday for violating concussion protocols during a victory over Philadelphia, with fines for coach Brian Daboll and rusher Cam Skattebo as well. The league and NFL Players Association investigated incidents surrounding an injury to Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart during a 34-17 home triumph on October 9.
“After a thorough review, the parties concluded that the team medical staff and unaffiliated medical providers properly followed all of the steps required and administered concussion protocol in their evaluation of Mr. Dart,” a joint statement from the league and union said. The violations of concussion protocol, however, came when Daboll went into the blue tent where the concussion evaluation was taking place and Skattebo later went to the entryway to the tent, both talking with Dart as examiners tried to check his status.
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The NFL fined Daboll $100,000 and Skattebo $15,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league” for their actions. NFL concussion protocol states that “only medical personnel deemed essential to the care of the athlete may be present for the tent and/or locker room evaluation.” Daboll and Skattebo “spoke with Mr. Dart before his evaluation was complete, creating the perception that they were interfering with Dart’s exam,” the joint statement said.
“While the parties agreed that Coach Daboll’s and Mr. Skattebo’s actions had no actual impact on the exam or the care that Mr. Dart received, their conduct was inconsistent with and demonstrated a disregard for the concussion protocol’s requirements and therefore constituted a violation.” The statement noted the Giants fully cooperated with the probe, conducted additional training with club staff and players about medical tent rules, and took new steps to ensure only proper individuals are able to enter the medical tent in the future.
Dart, an NFL rookie, was removed from the game late in the third quarter after being sacked by Philadelphia’s Patrick Johnson, Dart grabbing his head while on the turf before being treated by medical staff. Russell Wilson briefly replaced Dart, who returned for New York’s next offensive series. Daboll said after the game he had apologized to the Giants physician for the move. “I just stuck my head in to see how our quarterback was doing,” Daboll said. “In no way would I want a player to come back out there that wasn’t ready to play. I have great respect for that process.”
Giants owner John Mara called Daboll’s actions “inappropriate.” The fines came two days before the Giants (2-5) face a rematch with the Eagles (5-2) in Philadelphia.
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