The New York Giants, coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo have all been fined for violating a concussion evaluation of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart during their Week 6 game, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced Friday.
The Giants were fined $200,000 for violating the agreement, while Daboll was fined $100,000 and Scatterbo was fined $15,000 for conduct detrimental to the league.
On Oct. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Dart held his head after being sacked in the third quarter. After Dart was taken to the blue medical tent for a concussion evaluation, Daboll approached the tent and stuck his head inside. Scatterbo also entered the tent.
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Daboll was later seen having a animated conversation with team physician Dr. Scott Rodeo on the sidelines while awaiting word on whether Dart could return to the game. The coach said he wanted to know “what if [Dart] No problem,” and then decides whether to call a timeout, possibly on fourth down if he’s available.
The league and players union said in a joint statement that Daboll and Scatterbo's entry into the tent “created the perception that they were interfering with Dart's exam.” While they concluded that neither actually had an impact on the exam, “their actions were inconsistent with the requirements of the concussion protocol and demonstrated a disregard for the requirements of the concussion protocol and therefore constituted a violation,” the statement said.
The league and union added that the Giants have taken steps to avoid similar violations in the future.
“I don't have any comment on that. Just glad Jackson is healthy. That's all,” Scatterbo said. “Like I said, no comment. They took action and it was over.”
The NFL said two weeks ago it had launched an investigation into the use of concussion protocols. The league and NFLPA reviewed relevant reports and videos and jointly conducted interviews with the club’s medical staff, independent medical providers, coaches and players.
The parties concluded that the Giants' medical staff and non-affiliated medical providers properly followed all concussion protocol steps set forth in the collective bargaining agreement.
Daboll said after the game that he had apologized to the team doctor and further addressed his behavior a day later.
“I will say, like I said last night, I went in, didn't really go in, just stuck my head in there to see how our quarterback was doing. Just asked him, 'How are you doing?'” Daboll said on Oct. 10. “I would never want a player to go back out there that's not ready to play. I think I have a lot of respect for the process.”
ESPN's Jordan Raanan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.