The NFL, in conjunction with the NFL Players Association, has opened a review into the application of the concussion protocol involving quarterback Jaxson Dart during the New York Giants' 34-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night, CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones reports. The review concerns the actions of Giants coach Brian Daboll, who looked into the medical tent and was later shown yelling at the team doctor following an injury to Dart in the third quarter.
After taking a hit while running the ball, Dart was slow to get up before walking off the field and to the Giants' sideline, where he entered the blue medical tent in order to be evaluated for a concussion. Visibly anxious to the point of losing his composure, Daboll was seen walking over to the medical tent in order to check on Dart, and he was also spotted yelling at Giants head physician Dr. Scott A. Rodeo during the sequence.
As noted by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Daboll and the Giants could be subject to league discipline depending on what the league's investigation yields. Non-medical personnel are not allowed inside the medical tent during player evaluations.
Daboll apologized after game, has yet to hear from NFL
Daboll, for his part, apologized for his actions in his postgame press conference Thursday night.
"I apologized directly to our team physician. I just wanted his ass out there if he was okay," Daboll said. "But I wanted the process, like we were getting ready to go for it on a potential fourth down, I would have burned a timeout if he could have come out there. I was asking how long was it going to take. Again, you want your guy out there. Not at risk of anything else. But he came out. I think he's going to be good. Is he going to be good or not? I'm going to call a timeout on fourth down and go for this son of a b----.
"I love our doctors. ... I apologized. I was in the wrong."
Daboll in his Friday media availability said he had not heard from the league in regards to his actions on the sideline, but maintained that he respects the process of the NFL's concussion protocol and takes matters of player health and safety seriously.
"Like I said last night, I went in, didn't actually go in, just stuck my head in to see how our quarterback was doing. In no way would I want a player to come back out there that wasn't ready to play," Daboll said. "I think I have great respect for that process. I know [Giants co-owner John Mara] is on the competition committee relative to health and safety. That's very important to him. We've spoken about that. I was wondering if it took 10 minutes, if it takes an hour, if it takes two minutes. That's really where I was with asking the question that I asked when I was on the sideline to make a decision on the game.
"Health and safety is important to us, it's important to me, and that's what I'll say with that."
Dart returned to field, led Giants to win
In addition to Daboll, Cam Skattebo, the Giants' emerging star rookie running back, was also seen trying to check on Dart inside the blue medical tent. Dart would miss just two plays, but the drive would end as backup quarterback Russell Wilson missed a throw on third down to a torrent of boos from the crowd.
Dart's trip to the medical tent was the lone blemish in his night, as he turned in a strong performance to win his first NFC East divisional game and his first against the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, who have long served as the Giants' tormentors.
Dart went 17 of 25 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown while also running the ball 13 times for 58 yards and another touchdown, giving him an undefeated record at home to start his young career.
