NFL fines Giants $200,000, head coach Brian Daboll $100,000 and running back Cam Skattebo $15,000 for violating concussion protocol

The NFL has fined the New York Giants, as well as head coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo, for their actions involving the concussion protocol during their Week 6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced Friday.

The Giants organization was fined $200,000 for violating concussion protocol involving rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, while the league also fined Daboll $100,000 and Skattebo $15,000 for “conduct detrimental to the league.”

“After careful review, the parties have concluded that team medical staff and unaffiliated medical providers properly followed all steps required by the collectively negotiated and administered concussion protocol in their evaluation of Mr. Dart,” the NFL and NFLPA said in a joint statement.

“When the protocol is triggered, all in-game concussion assessments must take place either in the blue sideline medical tent or in the locker room, to ensure the player receives a thorough examination without distraction. The concussion protocol states that “only medical personnel deemed essential to the care of the athlete may be present for assessment in the tent and/or in the locker room.” This includes the team physician most qualified to evaluate concussions, the club athletic trainer, and the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant. No other people are allowed in the tent or locker room during an evaluation.

“The NFL and NFLPA concluded that the Giants violated protocol when head coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo entered the medical tent and spoke with Mr. Dart before his evaluation was completed, thereby creating the perception that they were interfering with Dart’s examination. Although the parties agreed that the actions of Coach Daboll and Mr. Skattebo had no real impact on the examination or care Mr. Dart received, their conduct was inconsistent with and demonstrated disregard for the requirements of the concussion protocol and therefore constitutes a violation. The parties also noted that the Giants took immediate corrective action to avoid similar violations in the future, including fully cooperating with the joint review, conducting additional training with staff of the club and players on the proper use of the medical tent and taking additional steps to ensure that only authorized individuals can enter the medical tent during a concussion assessment.

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Dart took a hard hit from Eagles linebacker Patrick Johnson in the third quarter of their Thursday night game and took some time to get back up. He was able to run off the field and was taken to the blue medical tent to be evaluated for a concussion.

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Daboll, eager to know when he could get his quarterback back in the game with New York leading 27-17, headed to the tent to watch Russell Wilson enter the game. Skattebo also went in to check on Dart before being asked to leave.

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Daboll was later shown on the Prime Video show yelling at the team’s orthopedist, Dr. Scott A. Rodeo, who was not involved in Dart’s evaluation. Daboll said he later apologized to Rodeo.

Daboll explained after the match that he looked into the tent to see Dart, “a player who is important to us, important to me.” He added: “Under no circumstances would I want a player to come back who is not ready to play. (…) I was wondering if it took 10 minutes, if it took an hour, if it took 2 minutes… to make a decision on the match. Health and safety is important to us, it’s important to me.”

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Dart returned to the game and finished 17 of 25 for 195 yards with passing and rushing touchdowns.

Skattebo told reporters he was “making sure Jaxson didn’t hurt anyone in the injury tent” when he ventured inside to check on his quarterback.

The NFL and NFLPA later announced that an investigation would be launched — one with which Giants owner John Mara said the team would cooperate fully. Mara added that he spoke with Daboll about the possibility of going to the medical tent and that he believed the head coach was not trying to rush the concussion evaluation process.