The NFL and the Players Association say that concussion protocol guidelines were applied appropriately to Patriots safety Patrick Chung during New England's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 16.
The league and NFLPA released a joint statement Thursday saying it conducted interviews with all involved parties and reviewed game footage to make their determination.
"The game official observed that Mr. Chung was slow to get up and therefore removed him from play, but he did not identify a need to trigger the Protocol," the joint statement read. "Additionally, the unaffiliated medical personnel (booth UNC and booth ATC spotter) reviewed the play, did not identify a mechanism of injury and concluded the player was not exhibiting signs or symptoms suggestive of a concussion and therefore did not initiate the Protocol."
Chung initially left the game after defending a running play with 12:54 remaining in the second quarter after charging toward the line of scrimmage during running back Corey Grant's 1-yard run. Chung was met in the hole by tight end Niles Paul, and after Paul landed on top of him, Chung briefly lay prone on the ground with his hands near the opening of his helmet as umpire Barry Anderson waved his arms to signal a stoppage in play.
Chung quickly got up to his feet under his own power and headed to the Patriots sideline, seemingly at the urging of Anderson.
But Chung returned to action on the next play and played the rest of the quarter. At halftime, he was then ruled out of the game by the team with a concussion.
Chung was initially removed from the game in the first half after an official observed him slow to get up following a play. He returned after medical personnel and the booth spotter determined there was no need to trigger the protocol.
But after several players and coaches observed Chung exhibiting behavior that led to a sideline review, he was removed from the game again and didn't return.
