Currently, a player can return to the game after being diagnosed with a
concussion if he is asymptomatic at rest and under exertion, and is cleared by
the team doctor. The lone exception is if the medical staff determines the
player lost consciousness, in which case he is ruled out for the remainder of
the game.
The report said that if a player is “woozy, has general dementia or memory
loss,” Goodell wants him barred from returning to a game.
“We are continuing to review all aspects of our guidelines on concussion
management and treatment,” NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
The league would not comment on the Fox report.
The Steelers made Ben Roethlisberger(notes) their third quarterback for Sunday
night’s game in Baltimore after he sustained his fourth concussion since 2006 in
a loss at Kansas City last weekend. Roethlisberger practiced this week, but
began experiencing headaches resulting from the concussion. He was examined
Saturday by an independent neurologist, a practice the Steelers have used for
years in dealing with head injuries, before the team decided to bench him.
The Associated Press this month conducted a survey of 160 NFL players—
about 10 percent of the league—and 30 replied that they have hidden or played
down the effects of a concussion.
The NFL says its data show an average of one reported concussion every other
game—about 120 to 130 concussions per regular season. Of the 160 players
interviewed by the AP, half said they’ve had at least one concussion playing
football; 61 said they missed playing time because of the injury.

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