New York GiantsCoach Brian Daboll and running backs cam skatebow All have been fined for violating concussion protocols surrounding the evaluation of rookie quarterbacks jackson dart During its sixth week of play, the NFL and the NFL Players Association made the announcement on Friday.
The Giants were fined $200,000 for violating protocols, while Daboll was fined $100,000 and Skattebo $15,000 for conduct detrimental to the league.
During the October 9 game against philadelphia eaglesDart caught his head on the ground after hitting a third-quarter sack. After Dart was taken to the blue medical tent for injury evaluation, Daboll approached the tent and poked his head inside. Skattebo also went into the tent.
Daboll was later seen talking animatedly to the team physician, Dr. Scott Rodio, while they waited to hear whether Dart would be cleared to return to the game. The coach said he wanted to know “what [Dart] Was OK” and decide whether to call timeout and potentially go for fourth down, if he was available.
The league and the players’ union said in a joint statement that Daboll and Skattebo entered the tent “creating the impression that they were interfering with a dart test.” The statement said that even though he concluded that there was no actual impact on the test, “his conduct was inconsistent and demonstrated a disregard for the requirements of the concussion protocol and was therefore a violation.”
The league and union said the Giants have taken steps to avoid any similar violations in the future.
“I don’t really have any comment to make on it. Just glad to have Jackson healthy. That’s all,” Skattebo said. “Like I said, no comment. They took action and it’s over.”
The NFL said two weeks ago that it had begun an investigation into the application of the concussion protocol. The league and the NFLPA reviewed relevant reports and video and jointly interviewed members of the club’s medical staff, independent medical providers, coaches and players.
Both parties concluded that the Giants’ medical staff and unaffiliated medical providers properly followed all concussion protocol steps required under the collective bargaining agreement.
Daboll said after the game that he apologized to the team doctor and explained further about his actions a day later.
“I will say this, like I said last night, I went in, didn’t really go in, just poked my head in to see how our quarterback was doing. Just asked him, ‘How are you doing?'” Daboll said on Oct. 10. “No way would I want a player to come back there who wasn’t ready to play. I think I have a lot of respect for that process.”
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
