Patriots Gridiron News: 3 midweek stories worth watching in Week 3
Patrick Chung’s concussion under investigation
The New England Patriots could go into Sunday night’s game without the services of safety and captain Patrick Chung.
The versatile defender officially left the Jacksonville game in the third quarter due to a concussion, but it is how that potential concussion was handled earlier in the game that has drawn an investigation by the NFL and NFL Players Association.
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Early in the first half, Chung was taken off the field after he was slow getting up on a play. He then re-entered the game a play later, which has caused some questions as to why there wasn’t further evaluation ordered by NFL spotters.
During the conference call with the media, Bill Belichick was asked about the situation and addressed it as well as he could given the fact it is not a team issue, but an NFL issue.
"“Those are medical procedures…and some of that is dictated by things from upstairs from the neutral physician and then that goes to our medical department,” Belichick said. “I’m trying to coach the game. I don’t have time for a conversation with those guys. If the player is cleared, he’s cleared. If he’s not cleared, then he’s not cleared.”"
It is as simple as that from the New England Patriots head coach, but as we know, potential head injuries can’t be taken lightly, so whatever went on or didn’t go on to evaluate Patrick Chung further will be a league issue.
While the team has not given an update on Chung’s status, whether or not he is available Sunday night is a story worth keeping an eye on.
Furthermore, it will be interesting to see what both the NFL and NFLPA find in their investigation.