Reported NFL Concussions Up 34 Percent Since 2008
The Ravens' Dawan Landry was back in action the second week in a row after suffering a concussion a few weeks ago.
Kai Jackson reports that Landry's injury is one of a growing number of reported concussions this season.
NFL football is among the most hard-hitting, physically demanding sports in the world, and at times it can also be among the most dangerous.
Now there's evidence that education about concussions is working.
NFL physician Andrew Tucker believes the reporting is better because the danger of concussions is under a national microscope.
"Players are willing to report, and I think that's the reason we are seeing more reported rather than an actual increase in the incidence of concussions," said Tucker.
In 2008, there were 115 concussions reported in the league. In 2010, there were 154. That's an increase of 34 percent.
Doctors say it's encouraging news for a danger that has the potential to be fatal.
"There are very rare incidents of tragic outcomes where a player will have a second head injury while they're still having symptoms of a concussion, which can result in what we call second-impact syndrome, which can be fatal," Tucker said.
"Whoever on that side, find him and hit him," said Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. "That's what my job tells me to do. So, now there has to be a clean barrier in between there so people aren't being fined just for playing football."
Experts say the data shows that players are getting the message: that if concussions are ignored it could cost a player his career or life.
The NFL data includes concussions suffered in both practice and games.
