NFL: Players initiating more injury exams

The NFL’s chief medical officer says more than a third of concussion evaluations this season are a result of players indicating they have symptoms, a much higher percentage than last season.

Allen Sills said in a conference call with reporters Tuesday that “about 37%” of the 379 concussion evaluations during the preseason and regular season have been “initiated by a self-report.” Sills said it was about 20% to 22% a year ago.

He called that increase “a positive development.”

Sills also said the rules for checking for a concussion were followed properly for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett on Sunday, when he was allowed to return to a game after a hit to the head. After the game, it was determined he did have concussion symptoms.

Sills says it is impossible to “capture 100% of concussions.”

NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said on the call that the league and the players’ union are still reviewing whether the Seattle Seahawks properly followed concussion protocols with quarterback Russell Wilson on Thursday night.

Sills also said data from the last five years show that the injury rate per game “is actually lower” for Thursdays than games played on other days of the week.

Matt Kalil facing criminal charges

Carolina Panthers offensive lineman Matt Kalil is facing criminal charges of selling alcohol to a minor at his Minnesota pizza restaurant, even though he wasn’t present when the transaction occurred.

A charging document says a 17-year-old server at Kalil’s Pieology Pizza in a Twin Cities suburb sold a beer to a 19-year-old woman Oct. 26.

The charges say Kalil is responsible for the illegal sale because he’s the owner.

No one else was charged in the case.