Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy backs medical staff over concussion issue – NFL News
The Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy has spoken out in the favour of his team’s medical staff in handling of his head injury that he suffered about three weeks ago.
It is for the first time that the quarterback has come out with his comments on anything since suffering the concussion in the Browns game against the Pittsburgh Steelers into week 14 of the National Football League (NFL).
He was all admiring of his medical staff saying they handled his situation with their best abilities and that should not be brought into question.
"Our medical staff does an outstanding job and that should never be in question," said McCoy, despite that he was sent back onto the field without testing for his head injury.
The player however refrained from speaking about the Steelers linebacker James Harrison who delivered the helmet-to-helmet hit on McCoy and whether he was still experiencing the concussion-like symptoms.
"I just don't want to go there guys," McCoy said. "I really don't want to recreate anything. I don't even want to think about it. I can tell you that I'm feeling a lot better, especially of late. I really feel like I'm coming out of this, and I hope to at
least be able to be out there this weekend and help my team."
He added that he was feeling better and progressing in his recovery. It is certain now that he is out of the current NFL season. However, there is no confirmation if he will be able to play next season and whether will be able to play football at all.
The Browns are playing the Pittsburgh Steelers again this Sunday without Colt McCoy and with no more games left for them this season. If McCoy is recovered and ready to play with the Browns he will join them at their training camp in spring next year.
Colt McCoy’s injury resulted in a game suspension handed down to Harrison by the NFL. He became the first player to have been banned for a game under NFL enhanced measures on concussion.
The handling of McCoy’s head injury and following controversy prompted an inquiry by the NFL and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) into Browns facilities and protocols at the Cleveland.
As an outcome of the inquiry the league has introduced new measures for handling of concussions, which included placing of a certified athletic trainer at press box to assist teams’ medical staff in monitoring, assessing and treating players for head injuries.
The Browns managed to escape a likely punishment by the league office inspite of having come under fire over sending back McCoy on the field to resume his game without testing him for his head injury.
According to the team management their medical staff was busy in attending to other injured players on the sideline and therefore could not witness McCoy’s hit and realise its impact. Since the players apparently did not show symptoms for concussion he looked
ok and ready to play, they maintained.
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