Concussion syndrome
Brian Westbrook enjoyed a headache-free week. After one gruesome hit in San Diego, he may never be the same.
“That was a heck of a hit he took,” coach Andy Reid said. “I feel bad for him and it’s something that our doctors will look at and be on top of it right when we get back.”
Westbrook didn’t speak with reporters, but he was walking around the locker room after the game and shared a fist bump with LeSean McCoy.
But a concussion isn’t an ankle injury. It was only a week and a half ago that the NFL came under fire from House Judiciary Committee for its handling of head injuries and for a controversial study of long-term concussion effects it has commissioned.
“Our goal is to make our game as safe as possible for those who choose to play it and treat our retired players with the respect and care they deserve,” commissioner Roger Goodell said.
What went wrong ...
1 FLAG FOOTBALL — The Eagles were called for nine penalties. The toughest one to swallow came after a defensive offside call gave the Chargers a first down, right after the Eagles had stuffed Darren Sproles on third-and-2 late in the third quarter. Philip Rivers hit Legedu Naanee for a 20-yard TD on the next play.
2 THE LONGEST YARD — They failed to convert on fourth-and-1 on two trips inside the 10-yard line and settled for field goals. Andy Reid’s decision to hand off to seldom-used reserve Eldra Buckley on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line early in the second quarter didn’t make any sense.
3 CORNER MARKET — The Eagles cornerbacks just looked lost at times. Sheldon Brown fell down trying to cover Malcolm Floyd, who caught a 22-yard pass to set up a 3-yard TD, and Asante Samuel left Legedu Naanee uncovered in the back of the end zone.