2 min read • October 03, 2023
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Through Week 4, just over 13% of players have cleared concussion protocol to return without missing a game, according to analysis from the SIC score staff.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker returned in Week 2 despite a Week 1 concussion and Houston Texans safety Eric Murray made it back for Week 3 despite suffering a concussion the week prior.
Through Week 4, 12 of 15 players have missed one game after suffering a concussion and just one of 15 have missed two games (Colts Center Ryan Kelly).
After the concussion controversy regarding Tua Tagovailoa last season, this number represents a dip in the percentage of players clearing concussion protocol to play the next week.
Last year, roughly 22% of players were able to clear concussion protocol and return without missing a game.
Unfortunately, the shift has already affected key players with Anthony Richardson, Jaylen Waddle, Jimmy Garoppolo and Jakobi Meyers all missing the following week after suffering a concussion.
Our staff will continue to track this issue, but any player who gets a concussion is more than likely to miss the following week.
Our analysis was based on in-game reports of concussion evaluations, video analysis and on practice reports.
Any player who cleared concussion protocol to return in the same game was not counted as a concussion (Justin Fields, Tyler Lockett). Any player who left for a concussion evaluation shortly before the game ended, but was able to clear concussion protocol on Wednesday was also not included (Davante Adams, Gus Edwards).
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