The NFL is adding video equipment to every team’s sideline on Wild Card weekend to help trainers identify players who suffered or may have suffered an injury during the game. According to the NFL Network report, only the team physician or head trainer will be allowed to watch the video monitor on a play in which a player is possibly injured.
NFL Medical Staffs Will Be Allowed To Use Video Monitors To Review Injuries
The NFL has allowed the use of video monitors on the sidelines for a team’s medical staff to review any plays in which a player suffered or may have suffered an injury.
“The medical staffs have advised us that having this tool available will assist them in assessing and treating injuries experienced during a game,” according to the memo. “Our operations staff will review the use of this equipment with team medical staffs prior to this weekend’s games.”
This seems like a reaction to the Colt McCoy situation a few weeks ago. McCoy was drilled by Steelers LB James Harrison and suffered an apparent concussion. But he was allowed to go back into the game and part of the communication break down came from the Browns trainers not seeing the play in question. In this scenario, the trainers would be able to go back and re-watch the play to see the severity of the hit.
The NFL hasn’t determined if this will be instituted next season. It sounds like they’re going to try it out this year and see how hit goes. I imagine some teams would be concerned over any competitive advantages to be gained by having video equipment like that on the side line but the league said only the head trainer or doctor can operate it and they must notify a league observer in the press box before using it.
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