Outrage as QB returns to field after huge KO
Tom Savage's return to field following a concussion in the Houston Texans' game against the San Francisco 49ers sparked huge controversy on Monday (AEDT).
The Texans quarterback was hit by 49ers linebacker Elvis Dumervil on a third-down pass during the second quarter at NRG Stadium.
Savage's head bounced off the turf and his arms then appeared to seize before he was helped to his feet by an official.
The Texans punted and Savage was quickly evaluated for a concussion on the sideline.
When the Texans got the ball back after the 49ers ran six plays, Savage was under center, in a move that sparked huge outrage online.
Disgusted that the @HoustonTexans allowed Tom Savage to return to the game after 2 plays after showing these horrifying #concussion signs (is that a seizure?) after a head impact. I would not let my worst enemy go through the 2017 #NFL sideline concussion protocol... https://t.co/PeJr5ISAIJ
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) December 10, 2017
This is very alarming. The Texans also put Tom Savage back into a game after he suffered a concussion last season. The NFL needs to investigate this. https://t.co/esUnijpAuP
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) December 10, 2017
Tom Savage is back in the game after looking like he got electrocuted. Protect your players, @NFL. Terrible. https://t.co/Rp2WwsZimX
— Sean Jordan (@BaySean) December 10, 2017
the video of tom savage is horrifying.
he’s down, on the ground, having a seizure.
and it’s not a big deal, because that’s football.— trey (@treyzingis) December 10, 2017
So Tom Savage should not still be in this game right now https://t.co/Le1VMtBugD
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 10, 2017
Watch the Tom Savage clip and tell me again the #NFL truly cares about empowering the officials and protecting its players. Imagine this is your father, brother, son. Yet he re-entered game. A travesty. https://t.co/MDChLr4eXc
— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) December 10, 2017
He threw two incomplete passes as the Texans went three-and-out.
Savage was then pulled for good, with a concussion later confirmed, and TJ Yates took over at quarterback.
Yates led a touchdown drive as the Texans trailed 13-9 at halftime.
Texans coach Bill O'Brien is likely to face tough questioning on why Savage was allowed to return so quickly, particularly in a sport where concussion issues have been so much under the spotlight in recent times.