NFL and NFLPA claim concussion protocol steps “were followed” by Bills before sending Josh Allen back in week 5 fixture against Texans

Josh Allen returned to play after a big head hit in Week 5, with the NFL/NFLPA denying any concussion protocol violation.

NFL and NFLPA claim concussion protocol steps “were followed” by Bills before sending Josh Allen back in week 5 fixture against Texans

Josh Allen did not suffer a concussion (Image via IMAGO)

The NFLPA (NFL Players Association) and the NFL concluded on Friday that all the steps were followed correctly before the Buffalo Bills signal-caller Josh Allen was sent back into the game to face the Houston Texans. Allen played the remainder of the game, which the Bills eventually lost.

During the fourth quarter, Allen’s head bounced off the surface after a tag team tackle from a few Texans players. Allen stayed down for a moment before receiving treatment on the sidelines.

Replays showed that someone gave him smelling salt, which snapped him out of his dizziness before jogging onto the field. Josh Allen finished the game with just 9 completions from 30 for 131 yards (58.67 QBR) and a touchdown pass to Keon Coleman.

Many felt that the Bills’ decision to play Allen, despite the massive hit on his head, was foolish. Another blow might have caused severe damage. However, the league and players’ association disagreed. It took them five days to reach a decision, and they believe the Bills followed every protocol.

Before re-entering the game, Allen missed two minutes and 30 seconds and a total of six minutes and six seconds of the entire fixture. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared the NFL & NFLPA’s joint statement via X (formerly known as Twitter).

The NFL and NFLPA have reviewed the reports from the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant and Booth Spotters, and those reports confirm that the steps required by the concussion protocol were followed in the evaluation and clearance of Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen in last Sunday’s game.

Joint NFL-NFLPA statement read

The league and NFLPA jointly concluded that Josh Allen did not suffer a concussion

Pelissero further added that the league reviewed the video several times to make the decision.

Both the league and union reviewed the video of the play and came to the same conclusion as the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants, booth spotters, and team medical staff. There was no loss of consciousness.

Tom Pelissero wrote
NFL & NFLPA claim concussion protocol steps were followed by Bills before sending Josh Allen back in week 5 fixture against Texans
Josh Allen (Image via IMAGO)

After the game, Allen spoke with the media, where he described his state of mind right after suffering the hit. The Pro Bowler said he felt okay enough to continue.

Big shot to the chest. Rolled my ankle. They flagged me for hitting my head, but felt good enough to go back in.

Josh Allen said (H/T: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)

Head coach Sean McDermott backed his quarterback’s claims.

Josh is a warrior. Took a pretty good hit out there and came back for his team and his teammates.

Sean McDermott said

If the joint committee deemed Allen unfit to continue and put him on the concussion protocol, then the 28-year-old had to go through a five-step process to prove he was okay to return. Although there’s no set timeline, failure means a long-term absence from the game.