Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen was properly evaluated for concussion symptoms before being allowed to re-enter the Bills’ game against the Houston Texans last week, the NFL and NFL Players Association announced Friday in a joint statement.
Allen’s head hit the ground while being tackled on an incomplete pass with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. After receiving treatment on the field, Allen headed to the sideline medical tent. The Bills punted on the next play but got the ball back less than two minutes of game time later when the Texans fumbled.
The Bills ran one offensive play, with Mitchell Trubisky serving as quarterback and handing off the ball, before Allen returned to action.
The statement issued Friday read, “The NFL and NFLPA have reviewed the reports from the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant and Booth Spotters and those reports confirm that the steps required by the concussion protocol were followed in the evaluation and clearance of Bills’ quarterback Josh Allen in last Sunday’s game. The protocol has been jointly developed and is jointly administered by the NFL and NFLPA. Under that program the parties jointly identify, retain and train the Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultants and Booth Spotters.”
According to NFL.com and ESPN, the statement added that Allen never lost consciousness.
Allen said postgame that he took a “big shot to the chest and rolled my ankle there. They (evaluated) me for hitting my head, but felt good enough to go back in the game.”
On the drive when he returned, Allen led the Bills to a game-tying field goal. However, the Texans wound up winning on a 59-yard Ka’imi Fairbairn field goal as time expired.
Allen completed just 9 of 30 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in the game. This season, he has a 60.3 percent completion rate with 945 passing yards and eight touchdowns. He has yet to throw an interception.
The 28-year-old veteran, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has a career 63.1 percent completion rate while passing for 23,648 yards and 175 touchdowns with 78 interceptions. Allen owns a 66-32 regular-season record as the Bills’ starting QB.
