NFL Facing Major Backlash For Handling of Bills QB Josh Allen’s Head Injury

Down 20-17 with six minutes left in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was trying to make a play.

As he scrambled to his right, Allen threw the ball away as he was wrapped up and brought to the ground by Texans defender Mario Edwards Jr. Allen’s helmet bounced off the turf and he laid on the ground not moving for a few moments before he made his way to the sideline.

Allen was evaluated for a concussion but came back into the game on Buffalo’s next drive just minutes later. As he struggled to complete a pass, fans could tell something was off with their star QB and questions began being raised about whether Allen actually cleared concussion protocol before returning.

Because Allen was allowed to reenter the game so quickly after suffering what appeared to have all of the hallmarks of a concussion, the NFL was put on blast on social media for allowing it to happen.

“Don't tell me the NFL cares about players safety. Allen couldn't have passed protocol he was out for a moment on the field,” @RS4ZOU wrote .

“Josh Allen slamming his head on the turf & getting knocked out, only to somehow get cleared & come right back in the game plays later is absolutely insane… Enough with the pretending to care about player safety. It’s all a load of BS. Shame on the NFL, for real,” @JoshReynolds24 commented .

“Josh Allen being back in this game 6 minutes after being knocked out cold is hilarious. The NFL does not care,” @LADco stated .

“Uh. Pretty irresponsible for the NFL to allow Josh Allen to play. That was a concussion,” @bbq_kc remarked .

“Because the NFL doesn’t care about player safety,” @HowUBeenFeller quipped .

“The NFL doesn’t really care about player safety. No excuse on why he’s back in the game,” @KingSB93 wrote .

“If it’s a high caliber player the NFL concussion protocols don’t apply. This isn’t even sarcasm, it’s fact,” @6StringRazer argued .

For a player to return to play after an in-game concussion evaluation, they must pass the concussion game day checklist , which includes a sideline survey, a focused neurological exam, which includes a cervical spine exam, a speech evaluation, a gait observation and a pupillary exam, and finally a locker room exam done by a team physician and independent neurological consultant.