By ,
Published August 07, 2015
NEW YORK (AP) The NFL's new rule calling for a medical timeout when a player appears possibly concussed might have helped after a Super Bowl play involving Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman.
Edelman appeared dazed after a hit by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor in the fourth quarter. New England was in an up-tempo offense and Edelman remained in the game. Soon after, he caught the winning touchdown pass.
Dr. Richard Ellenbogen, co-chair of the NFL's Head, Neck and Spine Committee, said Wednesday that 90 percent of concussions can clear within minutes. So had a medical timeout rule been in place for the Super Bowl, Ellenbogen said Edelman might have immediately tested positive for a concussion, been removed from the game and not caught the TD pass.
Team physicians on the field will be able to watch replays this year to figure out how someone was hurt. The medical trainer in the press box has replay access and can send a replay down to the field to help the doctors make a diagnosis if they didn't see the hit.
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https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-doctor-super-bowl-medical-timeout-might-have-helped