Patriots Seemingly Avoid Major Issue Entering AFC Championship
The New England Patriots could go back-to-back against concussion protocol.
New England head coach Mike Vrabel announced that cornerback Carlton Davis III was expected to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday.
Davis, who was ruled out with a head injury late in Sunday’s divisional round victory over the Houston Texans, is progressing well enough to where he could be eligible to play against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.
The NFL’s concussion protocol makes sure that each game is staffed with three unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants, who are primarily responsible for identifying potential head injuries and removing players who exhibit signs of trauma from the game — entering them into the return-to-participation protocol.
Savis is currently in phase four of that protocol, meaning his neurological testing returned to baseline and he is eligible to return to non-contact football activities. If all goes right on Wednesday, he could elevate to phase five and be removed from protocol as early as Friday.
If that was too much to read, just know that this is all good news for New England.
Christian Gonzalez went through a similar process last week, as he was removed from the wild-card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers with a head injury before returning as a limited participant in practice the following Wednesday. Gonzalez would go on to be listed as a full participant on Thursday and Friday, before making the start against Houston.
The Patriots are well versed in protocol lately, as running back TreVeyon Henderson, receiver Kayshon Boutte and left guard Jared Wilson all entered concussion protocol due to injuries sustained in a victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
Henderson returned the following week, Boutte two weeks later, and Wilson three weeks later for the beginning of the postseason, which reflects how the timetable for players clearing concussion protocol can vary.