NFL says injuries, concussions are down

Injuries in the NFL decreased this season, including concussions.

Emphasizing that players are doing more self-reporting of head injuries, the league released data Thursday that show overall concussions for the preseason and regular season were down from 275 in 2015 to 244 in 2016. That includes a drop of 16 in regular-season games to 167.

The 275 diagnosed concussions in 2015 were a high over the last five years and were an increase of 69 over the previous season. But the NFL enhanced its detection and examination protocols in that span.

Dr. Robert Heyer, president of the NFL Physicians Society and team internist for the Carolina Panthers, cited the players’ willingness to report injuries as making a major difference in the numbers.

“I have been a team physician 22 years, and in the past three years I think we’ve seen a cultural change regarding concussions,” Heyer said. “As result of ongoing education, players are more likely to speak up if they believe they might have a concussion. I know what we are doing is making a difference, but we must continue to do more.”

Seattle Seahawks assistant coach Rocky Seto, who has worked with Pete Carroll since 2001, has left the team to enter the ministry.