T.J. Watt left the Steelers’ Week 14 game after taking a knee to the head from Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott. Watt returned to action soon after but reported concussion-like symptoms a day later. The Steelers then placed their top defender in concussion protocol.
Watt was briefly checked for a concussion before being cleared to return on the same drive. The Steelers’ medical staff also took an extended look at Watt’s jaw/mouth, and Watt was spotted wearing a tinted visor later in the game. The NFL and NFLPA have since launched a joint investigation into the Steelers’ handling of this injury, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.
Mike Tomlin said Monday he was unaware Watt had switched to a tinted visor upon returning to action. The switch certainly looks to be a red flag, with an investigation underway.
“I assume that he was, but again I’m managing the game,” Tomlin said (via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio) when asked if he knew Watt was evaluated for a concussion during the game. “I leave that to the medical experts. They essentially tell me whether someone is out, whether they’re subject to return, or whether they’re back. I got a report that he was subject to return and then I got a report that he was back and that was just my knowledge of the details of what transpired with him during the time that he was out in game.”
The investigation will involve interviews with Watt and both team-affiliated and independent medical personnel involved, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones. Both Watt and Alex Highsmith, who did not return to action after exiting Thursday’s game early, are in concussion protocol.
Sad to say, but nothing will come from it. The NFL isn’t going to punish its own (independents are from the NFL) medical people for letting him play. But having dealt with migraines for decades, light sucks. And if you go back through the years, Watt never wore a tinted mask; until then. At minimum he had a migraine.
But if he cleared and then put it on as a precaution then I see no problem. Especially if the player says he is ok.
What player says ‘I have a migraine/concussion’? That’s why they’re supposed to have independent medical people, to make that call; not the team or player.
@stubby66 wearing a tinted visor isn’t a precaution. You’re not concerned about possible light sensitivity unless you have it.
Doesn’t pass the sniff test…
Sees like Tomlin has no clue of what is happening under his watch
Has he ever?
You want him to, what, stop watching and coaching the actual game to stand outside a tent and wait…?
They should also look into the size of Kenny Picketts hands while they are investigating.
He’s too busy hiding in the booth instead of on the field like a true teammate and captain.