The injury report may be a tiresome part of the sporting day but amid the lineup of nicks taking down wide receivers and other positions, two in particular may be cause for greater, longer-term concern.
Nose tackle Eddie Goldman sustained a concussion late in the first Cincinnati Bengals drive in the Bears’ 21-10 loss Saturday night. He did not return to the game and he did not practice on Monday.
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Quarterback Jimmy Clausen was hit in the head by linebacker P.J. Dawson while attempting to slide late in the fourth quarter. He was removed from the game, was not judged to have gotten a concussion, but later Saturday night was beset by symptoms and determined to have a concussion.
Adding to the worry with Clausen is the fact that it is his second in a relatively short time. His 2014 season ended with a concussion at the end of the game 15, taking a blow to the head from Ezekiel Ansah. That hit also came while Clausen was attempting to slide and the Detroit Lions defensive end was fined $22.050. Dawson is expected to be fined for what appeared to be a flagrant blow to the head to a player who had given himself up at the end of a play.
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Once mistakenly dismissed as minor, concussions have begun to be taken more seriously by players and the NFL, with good reason. Last season it was defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff missing games 3-5 because of a concussion.
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The nature of the injury and differences among individuals make it difficult to establish clear parameters for players’ returns.