Browns escape NFL punishment over handling of Colt McCoy’s head injury – NFL News
The Cleveland Browns have managed to escape a punishment as an outcome of a National Football League (NFL) inquiry into handling of the head injury to their quarterback Colt McCoy.
The NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) are reported to have completed their joint review of Browns facilities and protocols. The findings are with the league’s commissioner Roger Goodell for an assessment and action on them.
The commissioner is entitled to recommend and take an action against the Browns over any detected lapse on the issue. The league spokesman Greg Aiello however confirmed on Thursday that no action would be taken against them.
His assurance has come after a demand from the Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison for penalizing the Browns over McCoy injury.
Harrison who had been suspended for one game by the NFL over the McCoy hit said if the player was in so bad shape the team should be punished for their apparent fault in handling his concussion.
As part of their review, officials from the NFL and NFLPA visited the Cleveland to inspect Browns facilities. They also met with the team management and medical and coaching staff.
As a result of the inquiry the NFL has decided to position certified athletic trainers at press box during each game. They will assist teams’ staff in monitoring, assessment and treatment of players for concussions. The plan has
come into effect immediately.
However, no action is expected against the Browns over their decision to let Colt McCoy go back onto the field to resume his play inspite of his head injury.
McCoy had been allowed to return to join his squad without testing of his injury. The team management has defended the decision, claiming that the player did not show apparent symptoms for concussions.
They further disclosed that their staff on the sideline could not witness his hit and judge its impact as they were busy attending to other injured players. The NFL’s decision of posting the trainers is seen coming into effect
to particularly alert the teams’ staff towards injury players, in case they are busy with other their on-hand matters.
McCoy had come into contact with Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison in a helmet-to-helmet hit. Harrison defended it be as a fair play but was suspended for one game. He served the penalty during Steelers game against
the San Francisco 49ers on past Monday night.
The Browns however have managed to successfully avoid the possibilities of a punishment over the injury.
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