In an intense showdown against the Jets in Week 14, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud fell victim to a concussion. However, the previous week against the Broncos, Stroud’s concussion status remained officially undetermined.
Yet, upon closer inspection, there is reason to believe that Stroud may have indeed suffered a concussion in that game as well. A compelling video captured during a pivotal moment in the fourth quarter shows Stroud appearing unconscious or on the verge of it after a brutal hit. His teammates rush to his aid, as he displays clear signs of ataxia, a term used to describe a wobbly, disoriented, and stumbling state. When asked to leave the field for a concussion evaluation, Stroud gestures towards his midsection.
Unfortunately, his attempt to communicate his condition goes unheard, and he is taken off the field for evaluation. Throughout the interaction, he vehemently disputes this decision, struggling to maintain his balance and composure.
Shockingly, Stroud is subsequently cleared to reenter the game after missing a mere two plays, leaving fans puzzled and concerned. It simply defies logic. According to protocol, if a player exhibits any symptoms of ataxia, they are supposed to be ruled out for the remainder of the game and placed into the necessary concussion protocol.
This verdict raises questions about the NFL’s commitment to player safety. While the league talks a big game about safeguarding players from concussions and preventing them from returning to the field too soon, the flawed process of removing injured players persists.
It almost seems as though the league would rather run the risk of a concussed player suffering a second injury than hold back a group of players who may be free from concussions until they receive a clean bill of health. Such an attitude is a recipe for disaster, as it could inevitably lead to a severe player injury.
Unfortunately, it appears that the league will only take action and express concern after a catastrophic incident occurs, at least temporarily. Merely boasting about player protection from head trauma falls far short of what is needed. One need only watch the video to realize that, regardless of official assessments, Stroud showed clear signs of ataxia and should have been promptly removed from the game.