Player evaluation is an ongoing study. Teams are now required to put players through a battery of tests to determine whether they are fit to return to the field after taking a big hit, or a blow to the head. On Sunday, Washington Redskins safety Montae Nicholson was part of a brutal collision while attempting to make a tackle on San Francisco 49ers receiver Pierre Garcon. Even more terrifying than the way his helmet came flying off was the way his body shook on the turf as the play continued.
His twitching is something you’ll commonly see when someone suffers a concussion. But incredibly, the Nicholson was cleared to play for the rest of the game. He underwent the mandatory evaluation on the sideline and passed the test, meaning team trainers were free to clear him to continue playing.
It’s obvious after watching that play that he should have sat out the rest of the game until further testing could be done.
Prayers up to Redskins Safety Montae Nicholson @MontaeNicholson after this ferocious play pic.twitter.com/FZG2pchoRJ
— Tailgate Sports (@_TailgateSports) October 3, 2017
Montae Nicholson was evaluated for a potential concussion and a shoulder injury, has been cleared of a concussion and has returned to game.
— Washington Redskins (@Redskins) October 15, 2017
CTE is the biggest challenge facing the NFL. They are in the middle of a delicate balancing act of improving player safety and trying to make the game appealing to viewers again. Ultimately, winning makes money, and money is what this is all about.
Let’s hope that Nicholson gets along all right and doesn’t have any post-concussion symptoms in the morning.
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