NEW YORK: The NFL and the players association have announced a new policy regarding game-day concussion protocol and discipline for clubs that violate the procedure.
Under the new policy jointly announced Monday, the NFL and NFLPA “will follow a strict and fair process to investigate incidents and determine appropriate discipline, including club fines and possible forfeiture of draft picks.”
The league and the players union will each designate a representative to monitor the implementation of the protocol and investigate potential violations. The probe won’t reach medical conclusions; it will only determine if the protocol was followed. An arbitrator will handle cases where the league and union disagree and report to the commissioner.
Commissioner Roger Goodell retains sole discretion in determining penalties for violations of the game-day concussion protocol.
A first breach will require club employees or medical team members involved to attend remedial education and/or result in a maximum $150,000 fine against the team. Clubs will be fined a minimum $100,000 for subsequent violations.
There are additional penalties if the violation involves aggravating circumstances, and the commissioner may impose more severe financial penalties and require clubs to forfeit draft picks if it’s determined that a club’s medical team ignored protocol for competitive reasons.
Browns receiver Gordon reinstated after drug ban
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been conditionally reinstated to the NFL after meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell about his indefinite drug ban.
The National Football League said Monday that Gordon will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 regular season but will be eligible to return to the team on Monday, October 3.
“With the league’s decision to afford Josh the opportunity to resume his career, he will be with us for the start of training camp,” Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said in a statement.
“At that time, we will discuss directly with Josh the direction of our team, our expectations of our players and a plan to support him on and off the field.”
Gordon, 25, was suspended for two games in 2013, 10 games in 2014 and the entire 2015 season for multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
Gordon applied for reinstatement last April but was denied for allegedly failing an NFL-administered drug test. Multiple reports said the A and B samples were positive for marijuana but diluted, meaning Gordon might have tried to cover up the results.
In 2013, Gordon led the league with 1,646 receiving yards despite playing in only 14 of 16 games.
3 Raiders to be sidelined by injuries at start of camp
The Oakland Raiders will begin training camp with at least three players sidelined by injuries.
The team announced Monday that rookie offensive Vadal Alexander has been placed on the non-football injury list and running back Roy Helu Jr. and undrafted rookie defensive end Greg Townsend Jr. are on the physically unable to perform list. The team did not disclose the injuries for the three players.
They will count against the 90-man roster, but will not practice until they are healthy.
First-round safety Karl Joseph, who missed the offseason program recovering from knee surgery, is expected to be ready to go when training camp starts on Friday.
Under the new policy jointly announced Monday, the NFL and NFLPA “will follow a strict and fair process to investigate incidents and determine appropriate discipline, including club fines and possible forfeiture of draft picks.”
The league and the players union will each designate a representative to monitor the implementation of the protocol and investigate potential violations. The probe won’t reach medical conclusions; it will only determine if the protocol was followed. An arbitrator will handle cases where the league and union disagree and report to the commissioner.
Commissioner Roger Goodell retains sole discretion in determining penalties for violations of the game-day concussion protocol.
A first breach will require club employees or medical team members involved to attend remedial education and/or result in a maximum $150,000 fine against the team. Clubs will be fined a minimum $100,000 for subsequent violations.
There are additional penalties if the violation involves aggravating circumstances, and the commissioner may impose more severe financial penalties and require clubs to forfeit draft picks if it’s determined that a club’s medical team ignored protocol for competitive reasons.
Browns receiver Gordon reinstated after drug ban
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been conditionally reinstated to the NFL after meeting with commissioner Roger Goodell about his indefinite drug ban.
The National Football League said Monday that Gordon will be suspended for the first four games of the 2016 regular season but will be eligible to return to the team on Monday, October 3.
“With the league’s decision to afford Josh the opportunity to resume his career, he will be with us for the start of training camp,” Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said in a statement.
“At that time, we will discuss directly with Josh the direction of our team, our expectations of our players and a plan to support him on and off the field.”
Gordon, 25, was suspended for two games in 2013, 10 games in 2014 and the entire 2015 season for multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy.
Gordon applied for reinstatement last April but was denied for allegedly failing an NFL-administered drug test. Multiple reports said the A and B samples were positive for marijuana but diluted, meaning Gordon might have tried to cover up the results.
In 2013, Gordon led the league with 1,646 receiving yards despite playing in only 14 of 16 games.
3 Raiders to be sidelined by injuries at start of camp
The Oakland Raiders will begin training camp with at least three players sidelined by injuries.
The team announced Monday that rookie offensive Vadal Alexander has been placed on the non-football injury list and running back Roy Helu Jr. and undrafted rookie defensive end Greg Townsend Jr. are on the physically unable to perform list. The team did not disclose the injuries for the three players.
They will count against the 90-man roster, but will not practice until they are healthy.
First-round safety Karl Joseph, who missed the offseason program recovering from knee surgery, is expected to be ready to go when training camp starts on Friday.
