NFL concludes concussion protocol properly applied with Newton in Week 1

The NFL and NFLPA released a joint statement Wednesday, announcing that after review, concussion protocol was properly applied when Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton took a blow to the helmet late in a Sept. 8 game and was not removed from the contest.

Newton appeared to show signs he had been injured by a helmet-to-helmet hit from a Denver Broncos defender on the fourth-quarter play, and the league drew harsh criticism for the way the sequence was handled in light of its stated emphasis on monitoring scenarios in which a concussion may have occurred.

The Panthers medical staff and an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant on the sideline weren't able to see the blow to Newton, and therefore reviewed the play in question on the sideline, the statement explains. The video could not be viewed initially, due to a glitch, but after contacting the booth spotter and watching the replay, all parties determined Newton didn't show any signs of a concussion.

The league said protocol was also followed when Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor took a helmet-to-helmet hit in a Sept. 15 game against the New York Jets and referee Ed Hochuli sent him to the sidelines to be evaluated.

"Mr. Hochuli's decision to send Mr. Taylor to the sideline for evaluation after spotting an observable sign of possible concussion demonstrates a conservative and therefore appropriate application of the concussion protocol," reads the statement.

Going forward, the concussion protocol has been tweaked to increase communication between booth spotters and medical teams at field level and to use Hochuli's officiating as an example of how to handle such situations.