NFL issues three fines after controversy surrounding Jaxson Dart concussion protocol vs. Eagles

Two weeks after the NFL announced that it had initiated a review of how New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart was evaluated, fines have been handed down. The investigation came after Dark was looked at for a concussion after taking a hard hit in the third quarter of the Giants’ 34-17 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 9.

The NFL has officially fined the New York Giants $200,000 for violating concussion protocol with Dart. Also, the NFL fined Giants head coach Brian Daboll $100,000 and rookie running back Cam Skattebo $15,000 for conduct detrimental to the league.

Dart went down with 2:17 left in the third quarter after being sacked by Eagles linebacker Patrick Johnson and was treated on the field before being helped to the Giants’ medical tent, where he received further evaluation for several minutes. Veteran quarterback Russell Wilson entered in Dart’s place and ran two plays before the Giants were forced to punt on fourth-and-9 from the Eagles’ 42-yard line.

The potential concern for the NFL was how quickly Dart returned to the field. After a Wilson incompletion on third-and-9, a visibly frustrated Brian Daboll was spotted yelling at one of the team’s medical professionals. Fellow Giants rookie Cam Skattebo was then seen briefly entering the team medical tent with Dart still in there before being kicked out himself. Two big no-nos for Daboll and Skattebo.

“The NFL and NFLPA conducted that the Giants violated the protocol when head coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo entered the medical tent and spoke with Mr. Dart before his evaluation was complete, creating the perception that they were interfering with Dart’s exam,” the release from the NFLPA read. “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 protocols requirements and therefore constituted a violation.”

“The parties also noted that the Giants undertook immediate remedial steps to prevent and similar violation in the future, including by operating fully with the joint review, conducting additional training with club staff and players without proper use of the medical tent and taking additional steps to ensure that only permitted individuals are able to enter the medical tent during a concussion evaluation.”

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.