NFL hands down $315k in fines over Giants’ concussion protocol violations

The New York Giants, head coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo have been fined for violating the NFL’s concussion protocol during an evaluation of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in the team’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the league and NFL Players Association announced Friday.

The Giants were hit with a $200,000 fine for breaching the protocol, while Daboll was fined $100,000 and Skattebo $15,000 for conduct detrimental to the league.

The incident occurred during the 9 October matchup at MetLife Stadium after Dart was sacked midway through the third quarter and remained on the turf, clutching his helmet. Following standard procedure, he was escorted to the blue sideline medical tent for a concussion evaluation by team physicians and an independent neurotrauma consultant.

According to the league’s review, Daboll approached the tent during the evaluation and briefly stuck his head inside. Skattebo, who had come off the field on the same series, also entered the tent before the exam was complete. Both actions violated the league’s concussion protocol, which allows only essential medical personnel – the club physician, athletic trainer and independent consultant – to be present during a player’s evaluation.

Daboll was later seen speaking animatedly with team doctor Scott Rodeo on the sideline while waiting to learn whether Dart would be cleared to return. After the game, the coach said he wanted to check on his quarterback’s well-being and determine whether to use a timeout to attempt a fourth-down conversion if Dart was available.

The joint NFL–NFLPA statement issued Friday said the coach and player’s presence “created the perception that they were interfering with Dart’s exam”. Although the review found no evidence that either affected the medical evaluation or the care Dart received, the parties concluded that “their conduct was inconsistent with and demonstrated a disregard for the concussion protocol’s requirements and therefore constituted a violation.”

League officials noted that the Giants’ medical staff and unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant otherwise “properly followed all steps required” by the collectively bargained concussion policy. The organization has since implemented “immediate remedial steps”, including additional staff training, refresher sessions for players and new procedures to ensure only authorized individuals can enter the medical tent during an evaluation.

The league said it considered those corrective actions when determining the fines.

The NFL’s concussion protocol has been the subject of heightened scrutiny in recent years after several high-profile head injury incidents, most notably those involving Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2024. The league and players’ union jointly oversee the system and conduct automatic reviews anytime a player’s on-field evaluation prompts questions about compliance.

Dart returned to finish the game against Philadelphia, a surprise 34-17 win for New York, and later cleared all required steps in the league’s return-to-play process.