New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is also under review by NFL and NFL Players Association because of the actions he did during the Thursday night win over Philadelphia Eagles. The two agencies of joint investigation focus on whether Daboll contravened league rules when he interrupted in assessing the concussion of quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Dart was struck hard later on in the third quarter by Eagles linebacker Patrick Johnson on the shoulder. He slowly rose and proceeded to the blue medical tent to check out concussion. When Dart did not come back, Brian Daboll made the mistake of going over and peeking into the tent for a few minutes!—which is a prerogative that coaches are not permitted to indulge. There were also camera-recorded instances of Daboll losing a heated moment with Giants team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo.
Russell Wilson, the backup quarterback, replaced two plays as Brian Daboll thought of calling a time out to allow more time to Dart. Daboll confessed that his emotions got the best of him after game.
Brian Daboll described an NFL sideline as emotional. I apologized to my team physician. I was only to inquire whether Jaxson was alright. I did not want to get involved, but I was attempting to make my judgment on whether to call a fourth-down timeout.
Dart later came back to the field and contributed towards Capping off the win by the Giants. This was the third occasion that the rookie was examined because of a concussion.
Friday morning, the NFL, together with NFLPA, affirmed that they are reviewing the case jointly. Their statement read:
The NFL launched an investigation into the use of the concussion protocol in the case of New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart in last night. This will be done together with the NFLPA in the review.
On the following day, when Brian Daboll addressed the reporters, he denied his intentions, but said that he might have gone too far.
He said I wanted to see how our quarter back was doing. Health and safety is of importance to me and to this organization. I am much respectful of the process.
According to the policy of concussion that the league has, the only medical staff that is allowed in the tent or locker room during an evaluation is the necessary medical personnel. The regulation aims at avoiding external pressure to the medical personnel. Daboll might be fined in case of violation.
Should that occur, he is the second NFL coach to be punished on sideline conduct this season. Week 5, the Arizona Cardinals suspended coach Jonathan Gannon the equivalent of one hundred thousand dollars by slapping a player in an argument. Jerry Jones, a Dallas Cowboys owner also had to pay a fine of 250000 dollars after making an obscene gesture to the fans in one of the games against the Jets.
The league does not indicate the duration of the investigation into Brian Daboll but it comes at a time when NFL still focuses on the safety of players and the openness of concussion protocols.
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