BUFFALO, N.Y. – The NFL and NFLPA found that the steps required by the concussion protocol were correctly followed in evaluating and clearing Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen during the Bills’ 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
The NFL and NFLPA released a statement stating, “The NFL and NFLPA have reviewed the reports from the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant and Booth Spotters and those reports confirm that the steps required by the concussion protocol were followed in the evaluation and clearance of Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen in last Sunday’s game. The protocol has been jointly developed and is jointly administered by the NFL and NFLPA. Under that program the parties jointly identify, retain and train the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants and Booth Spotters.”
The NFL and NFLPA reviewed video of the play and agreed that Allen did not lose consciousness, the same conclusion as the neurotrauma consultants, booth spotters and team medical staff.
With just over six minutes remaining in the game, on third-and-8 from the Buffalo 42-yard line, Allen ran to his right to try and get a pass downfield to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. As he threw the pass, he was tackled around the legs by defensive tackle Mario Edwards, while linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair flew over top of the quarterback, and Allen’s head bounced off the turf.
Allen said after the game that he took a “big shot to the chest and rolled my ankle there. They flagged me for hitting my head but felt good enough to go back in the game.”
In addition to a left hand injury he suffered in Week 1, Allen is also on the injury report this week with an ankle, but has been a full participant. Players who receive an in-game evaluation are monitored throughout the remainder of the game by the medical experts and have a follow-up evaluation conducted by a member of the club medical staff the day following the game.
The quarterback was attended to by athletic trainers on the field before walking off to the bench. He was then brought to the medical tent. A punt and four Texans offensive plays followed while Allen was brought to the tent and evaluated. The Bills then recovered the ball and Allen missed one offensive snap before being cleared.
“I obviously went into the tent. I can only control what I can control,” Allen said on Wednesday. “What we talked about there, they deemed me cleared to play, and that’s what happened. That’s as deep as I’ll get into it.”
