NFL hands down $315k in fines over Giants’ concussion protocol violations | New York Giants
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo were fined for violating the NFL’s concussion protocol during an evaluation of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart during the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the league and NFL Players’ Association announced Friday.
The Giants were fined $200,000 for protocol violations, while Daboll was fined $100,000 and Skattebo was fined $15,000 for conduct detrimental to the league.
The incident occurred during the Oct. 9 game at MetLife Stadium after Dart was sacked midway through the third quarter and remained on the turf, holding his helmet. Following standard procedure, he was escorted to the blue medical tent for a concussion assessment by team doctors and an independent neurotrauma consultant.
According to the league’s analysis, Daboll approached the tent during evaluation and briefly stuck his head inside. Skattebo, who had left the field during the same series, also entered the tent before the review was over. Both actions violated the league’s concussion protocol, which allows only essential medical personnel — the club physician, athletic trainer and independent consultant — to be present during a player’s evaluation.
Daboll was then seen talking animatedly with team doctor Scott Rodeo on the sideline while waiting to hear if Dart would be cleared to return. After the game, the coach said he wanted to check on his quarterback’s well-being and determine whether to use a timeout to attempt a fourth-down conversion if Dart was available.
The joint NFL-NFLPA statement released Friday said the presence of the coach and player “created the impression that they were interfering with the examination of Dart.” Although the review found no evidence affecting the medical evaluation or care Dart received, the parties concluded that “their conduct was inconsistent and demonstrated a disregard for the requirements of the Concussion Protocol and therefore constituted a violation.”
League officials noted that the Giants’ medical staff and unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant “properly followed all steps required” by the collectively bargained concussion policy. The organization has since implemented “immediate corrective measures” including additional staff training, refresher sessions for players and new procedures to ensure only authorized individuals can enter the medical tent during an evaluation.
The league said it took these corrective measures into account when determining the fines.
The NFL’s concussion protocol has come under scrutiny in recent years after several high-profile head injury incidents, including those involving Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2024. The league and players’ union jointly oversee the system and conduct automatic reviews whenever evaluating a player on the field raises questions about compliance.
Dart returned to finish the game against Philadelphia, a 34-17 upset victory for New York, and subsequently completed all required steps in the league’s return to play process.
