As we begin a new season there is hope that the injury of concussion will be taken more seriously by the players. The league itself is at least playing lip service and outwardly showing concern; it is now up to the players, the same ones who have told us that they would play through or lie about concussions to continue playing (looking at you Urlacher and Polamalu).
The teams have only been through one weekend of practice and we have our first concussion to report. Now would be a good time to call upon all of you followers to keep an eye out during preseason and beyond. I cannot compile the most comprehensive list of NFL concussions without your help. Please send info along the way, and thanks to @nflconcussions for also doing the same. All of that said our first concussion of 2012 (that we can find) is Jermichel Finley of the Packers, according to his wife;
Finley’s wife Courtney Finley spilled the news on Twitter and Aaron Nagler was sharp enough to capture it before it was subsequently deleted. Finley has a concussion, according to his wife.
“Got a slight very mild concussion at practice yesterday & protocol is to sit a few days,” she wrote and then deleted on Twitter.
As you can see we can expect more secrecy about concussions going forward, that is why you – the reader – is so important for this project. Not only will players take it upon themselves to keep it quiet, teams will be fining players for talking about concussions as well;
New coach Mike Mularkey told Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union on Friday that any Jaguars who spoke to the media about their injuries would be fined a whopping $10,000.
“Anything I know about a guy, anything I know is hurting on him, any comment he makes will play into how they attack a team or a position,” Mularkey said. “I just don’t think it’s anybody else’s business. If I feel like it’s going to jeopardize us or compromise us, I will not talk about specific injuries. Right now we’re really not in a position where I don’t feel free to talk about them because I feel pretty good about our team right now. But I will be the only voice.”
It is understandable from a game preparation stand point, you don’t want players targeted, however if a player sustains a concussion it should be known, because that player most likely should be sat at least ONE week. The cloak and dagger routine has only made this issue worse for the players and league. Be honest, let someone – independent – keep track and let those that make policy and innovation find a way to reduce the problem.
Speaking of keeping things “quiet”, well that is not exactly what Jeremy Shockey has done with his recent diatribe about concussions;
The no it all Rog goodell lied to every player and told us concussions will not effect us in life that a LIE!
Yeah Shockey was a bit outspoken on the issue via Twitter he was especially trumpeting the Wiki page on “Health issues in American football”.
If that does not light your fire for NFL 2012 well at least you have to look forward to your upcoming fantasy football drafts.
The Concussion Blog 
How about Week 1 the Titans WR Nate Washington who appeared to be knocked out after he was hit going up for a high pass from Jake Locker. He was then listed with an ankle injury and missed practice that week but did play in week 2. He clearly had a head injury if you look at the replay, which was the same play the Locker hurt his shoulder after the ball was intercepted and he tried to make a tackle.
Also Jets RB Shonn Greene week 2 vs. Pittsburg was hit in the head, appeared to be knocked out for a second and then staggered when he stood up. He left the game but came back in for the 2nd half. The jets even said he had a “head injury” but then later said he did not have a concussion. That doesn’t make sense to me.