The New York Giants were fined $200,000 for violating the concussion protocol after rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart exited their Oct. 9 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, the NFL and NFLPA announced Friday.
The league’s joint investigation with the players’ association found coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo breached the protocol during New York’s Week 6 home win. Daboll and Skattebo entered the sideline medical tent to speak to Dart while doctors evaluated him, “creating the perception they were interfering” with the exam.
“While the parties agreed that Coach Daboll’s and Mr. Skattebo’s actions had no actual impact on the exam or the care that Mr. Dart received, their conduct was inconsistent with and demonstrated a disregard for the concussion protocol’s requirements,” the joint statement read.
On top of the team’s penalty, Daboll was fined $100,000 and Skattebo was fined $15,000 for conduct detrimental to the league.
Dart left the Oct. 9 game — a 34-17 New York victory — toward the end of the third quarter after absorbing a sack and clutching his head. Backup Russell Wilson came in for two plays, and his lone incomplete pass attempt left the Giants facing fourth-and-9 at the Eagles’ 42-yard line.
The TV broadcast showed Daboll peering into the tent and yelling at the Giants’ team physician, Dr. Scott Rodeo, on the sideline.
Following the game, Daboll said he’d apologized to Rodeo and explained he was seeking clarity on Dart’s status before deciding whether to call timeout and go for it on fourth down.
The Giants opted to punt, and Dart was cleared to return for the next offensive series.
“I went (into the tent) — didn’t actually go in, just stuck my head in, to see how our quarterback was doing. Just asked him, ‘How you doing?'” Daboll told reporters. “In no way would I want a player to come back out there that wasn’t ready to play. I think I have great respect for that process.”
The league and NFLPA’s review concluded Giants medical staff and independent medical providers followed the concussion protocol while assessing Dart.
The protocol dictates “only medical personnel deemed essential to the care of the athlete” may enter the medical tent while a player is being examined, Friday’s joint statement noted.
Dart, the No. 25 overall draft pick out of Ole Miss, replaced Wilson as New York’s starting quarterback in the fourth week of the season.
He’s steered the Giants, who are 2-5 overall, to two wins and two losses in his starts while completing 60.2% of passes for 791 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Giants visit the Eagles on Sunday to conclude their two-game season series.
