NFL statement: Spotters saw 'no indications' of concussion for Cam Newton

The NFL has issued a statement following Thursday night’s season opener between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers regarding the multiple hits to the head suffered by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

The league said the process of screening for potential concussions was administered properly — notably after Newton was cracked on a helmet-to-helmet hit by Broncos safety Darian Stewart in the final minute — and that Newton showed no ill effects when viewed by independent spotters and neurologists at the game.

 

Cam Newton was determined to have not suffered a concussion Thursday night (AP).

The full statement:

“There was communication between medical personnel on the Carolina sideline, including the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant, and the two independent certified athletic trainer spotters in the booth. During stoppage in play while on-field officials were in the process of administrating penalties, the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant and team physician requested video from the spotters and reviewed the play. They concluded there were no indications of a concussion that would require further evaluation and the removal of the player.”

The play took a while to sort out, as offsetting calls were enforced — a roughing the passer call against the Broncos and an intentional grounding penalty against Newton, who was out of the pocket when he threw the ball, but the pass didn’t reach the line of scrimmage.

The NFLPA is reviewing the situation, according to assistant executive director of external affairs.

 

Here’s the joint policy between the union and league on reviewing such matters:

 

	Tom Pelissero @TomPelissero
If NFL/NFLPA can't agree on whether protocol was followed and/or disciplinary recommendation, arbitrator reviews. pic.twitter.com/RUcz4KMXGr 7:21 AM - 9 Sep 2016 Twitter by:Tom Pelissero@TomPelissero

 

Newton was not placed in the concussion protocol after the game and said his injuries were “nothing too serious” but added that it was “not too fun” suffering repeated blows to the head.

But questions remain about the system put in place to help the players. Even with trained medical professionals watching plays live and using video replay to assist in determining which players might have suffered concussions, it also would seem difficult to fully assess any player’s condition without close examination in borderline cases and/or speaking to the player in question.