Concussion Protocol Under Review by NFL and NFLPA for Quarterback Jaxson Dart

Last Thursday, the NFL began reviewing the concussion protocol for New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart.¹ The review started during the second half of the New York Giants’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles.² The league announced that the NFL Players Association would also join the review.³ A league source told ESPN that Coach Brian Daboll, and the New York Giants, could face discipline.⁴

During the game, Dart took a serious hit on a third-quarter sack.⁵ While he was laying on the ground, he grabbed his head.⁶ Dart was taken to the blue tent and evaluated for a concussion.⁷ He was cleared and returned, but he missed the final two plays.⁸ Coach Daboll went to the blue tent “and poked in his head.”⁹ He said that he was trying to find out “if [Dart] was okay,” and decide his next steps for the game.¹⁰ After the game, Coach Daboll apologized to the doctor.¹¹ Cam Skattebo, the rookie quarterback, also entered the blue tent.¹²

Coach Daboll spoke on a Zoom call about approaching the blue tent.¹³ He stated, “’I’ll say this, like I said last night, I went in, didn’t actually go in, just stuck my head in to see how our quarterback was doing . . . in no way would I want a player to come back out there that wasn’t ready to play. I think I have great respect for that process.’”¹⁴

The owner of the New York Giants, John Mara, also spoke to Coach Daboll.¹⁵ John Mara stated, “’While I firmly believe, as he has stated, that he was not trying to influence the process in any way, he understands that the appearance of going to the tent is inappropriate. We have protocols in places as a league to ensure player safety, and we need to allow our medical staff to execute those protocols without interference.’”¹⁶

Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s chief medical officer, made a statement about this matter.¹⁷ He told reporters that the player, team physician, independent specialist, and possibly the team’s athletic trainer, are the only individuals allowed in the blue tent.¹⁸ Dr. Sills stated, “’Never more than those people. Never any coaches in here, never any other players in here, never anybody else in here.’”¹⁹

I reached out to Haley Chizuk, PhD, ATC to discuss this matter. She is a doctor, a research assistant professor at UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, and an athletic trainer. Dr. Chizuk’s research interests include concussion, concussion management, fluid biomarkers, microRNA, aerobic exercise, and sports health.²⁰

Dr. Chizuk stated, “First of all, if he is diagnosed with a concussion, I wish Jaxson Dart a speedy recovery. This situation highlights a common issue in sports medicine. Providers often feel significant pressure from outside forces during sideline assessments, whether it be coaches, parents, owners, other players, or the game clock. This pressure can be amplified in concussion assessments, considering standard concussion evaluation techniques lack objective findings to corroborate subjective reports and the historical disbelief in concussive injuries, which has only begun to fade in the past few decades. Additionally, players at the elite level may be more likely to downplay their experience as they are likely to tolerate pain well and have a necessary high motivation to return to play. Of course, this does not apply to all players. My philosophy on this, as an Athletic Trainer, is that I am not deciding whether an athlete is safe to play. The athlete’s condition determines whether or not they are safe to play. My job is to examine their condition and manage them accordingly, but regardless of any outside influence, their injury status was determined on the field before my exam began.” 

She further stated, “Coach Daboll and Cam Skattebo likely had good intentions, and despite this situation, coaches and players should continue to look out for each other’s well-being. Yet, Dr. Sills is correct, medical examinations must be private and free from undue influence.” 

Lastly, Dr. Chizuk stated, “I can further understand Dart’s comment that he is tired of interruptions. Interruptions are certainly a nuisance, but concussion examinations are necessary. The NFL has procedures for very brief sideline concussion screenings, which are not comprehensive but are a great tool for rapid decision-making. Secondary evaluations take place off the field, where the pressure of the game clock is reduced. The screening and evaluation time is worth it. When concussions go unreported, their consequences compound. Symptom burden is higher, return to play is longer, long-term neurological damage is more likely. As a clinician, scientist, and primarily as a fan of the NFL, I advocate for concussion screening and evaluation to keep our players safe and performing at their best. Football is its most fun when everyone is safe and performing well.” 

Thank you, Dr. Chizuk, for your comments and expertise. The New York Giants are expecting a punishment once the review is finished.²¹ We will see in the upcoming weeks what the NFL and NFLPA concludes in their investigation.

1. Jordan Raanan, NFL, NFLPA reviewing concussion protocol for Giants QB Jaxson Dart, ESPN (Oct. 10, 2025) https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46552852/nfl-nflpa-reviewing-giants-concussion-protocol-qb-jaxson-dart ↩︎
2. Id. ↩︎
3. Id. ↩︎
4. Id. ↩︎
5. Id. ↩︎
6. Id. ↩︎
7. Id. ↩︎
8. Id. ↩︎
9. Id. ↩︎
10. Id. ↩︎
11. Id. ↩︎
12. Id. ↩︎
13. Id. ↩︎
14. Id. ↩︎
15. Id. ↩︎
16. Id. ↩︎
17. Id. ↩︎
18. Id. ↩︎
19. Id. ↩︎
20. Haley Chizuk, LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-chizuk-852772229 (last visited Oct. 15, 2025). ↩︎
21. Mike Florio, Report: Giants brace for a “hefty fine” in Jaxson Dart concussion evaluation review, NBC Sports (Oct. 12, 2025) https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-giants-brace-for-a-hefty-fine-in-jaxson-dart-concussion-evaluation-review ↩︎

Featured Image: Andrew Greif, The quarterback change that altered an NFL team’s fortunes, NBC News (Sept. 28, 2025) https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/new-york-giants-jaxson-dart-nfl-chargers-rcna234298