Besides instant replay reform and finding a better definition of a “catch,” the NFL’s competition committee is busy this week deciding whether to increase the duties of injury spotters in NFL games. The proposal would allow independent medical trainers to watch for possible concussions and stop the game if necessary.
NFL may let injury spotters stop play during games
Julian Edelman’s possible concussion during Super Bowl XLIX may have pushed the league to give more power to independent medical staff.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
If it passes, it would mark the first time a third party besides the referees could halt play in the event of an injury. The proposal was added this week according to committee chairman Rich McKay.
The discussion of whether the NFL should institute another layer of protection for players who may have suffered head injuries reignited during Super Bowl XLIX when New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman appeared disoriented after absorbing a hit to the neck and helmet region from Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. Edelman never left the game despite the league's independent medical staff signaling to the field to have the wideout checked out.
McKay acknowledged that the Edelman situation was discussed by the committee when evaluating the proposal. “Maybe this becomes the failsafe,” McKay explained. “We do not expect this to be a rule that gets used a lot.”
Over the past decade, the league has approved multiple rules to help curb head injuries, including redefining the meaning of a “defenseless player” and reducing helmet-to-helmet contact.
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