NEW YORK — NFL teams will soon be working with independent neurologists on concussion issues. Commissioner Roger Goodell will implement the policy as soon as details can be worked out. The neurologists will work with the teams’ medical staffs.
Goodell recently urged players to tell their teams’ medical staffs if they think a teammate shows symptoms of a concussion. Goodell and union director DeMaurice Smith also testified before Congress at hearings on head injuries.
League spokesman Greg Aiello offered no details of the new guidelines, first reported Sunday on Fox’s NFL pregame broadcast, such as when it will go into effect, how the independent doctors would be identified and compensated, or even whether their input must be followed.
Packers have reason to worry
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Packers lost two cornerstones of their defense in a victory over the 49ers and could be playing without them for a lot longer.
Coach Mike McCarthy said the knee injuries to cornerback Al Harris and outside linebacker Aaron Kampman “did not look very good” and were cause for concern.
“Hopefully, these two injuries aren’t as serious as we may think,” McCarthy said.
Redskins lose Betts
ARLINGTON, Texas — After Redskins running back Clinton Portis was ruled out for at least one more game, backup Ladell Betts suffered knee ligament damage against the Cowboys.
Coach Jim Zorn said Portis, out since Nov. 8 because of a concussion, will not play next week against the Eagles. Betts then sustained damage to the MCL in his left knee midway through the first quarter of Washington’s loss. Zorn said Betts will have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury.
‘Boys will be ‘Boys.
Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman and secondary coach Dave Campo had a brief physical confrontation on the sideline, though Campo and head coach Wade Phillips later downplayed the incident.
“We were a little upset,” Campo said. “It was between family. No harm, no foul.”
