New York GiantsHead coach Brian Daboll and running back Cam Skattebo were fined for violating the NFL's concussion protocol while evaluating rookie quarterback Jackson Dart in the team's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the league and NFL Players Association announced Friday.
The Giants were fined $200,000 for violating protocol, while Daboll was fined $100,000 and Skattebo $15,000 for conduct detrimental to the league.
The incident occurred during an Oct. 9 game at MetLife Stadium after Dart was sacked midway through the third quarter and left on the turf clutching his helmet. Following standard procedure, he was escorted to the blue side medical tent for a concussion assessment by team doctors and an independent neurotrauma consultant.
According to the league's review, Daboll walked up to the tent during the evaluation and briefly stuck his head inside. Skattebo, who left the field in the same series, also entered the tent before the examination was completed. 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 when examining a player.
Daboll was later seen talking animatedly with team doctor Scott Rodeo on the sidelines, waiting to find out if Dart would be allowed 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.
A joint statement from the NFL and NFLPA on Friday said the presence of the coach and player “created the impression that they were interfering with Dart's ability to take the exam.” Although the review did not find any evidence that would have affected the medical examination or care Dart received, the parties concluded that “their conduct did not comply with the requirements of concussion protocol and therefore constituted a violation.”
League officials noted that the Giants' medical staff and independent neurotrauma consultant otherwise “properly followed all steps” required by the team's collectively agreed-upon concussion policy. The organization has since taken “immediate corrective measures” including additional training for staff, refresher courses for players and new procedures to ensure only authorized individuals can enter the medical tent during examinations.
The league said it took those corrective actions into account when determining penalties.
The NFL's concussion protocol has come under scrutiny in recent years following several high-profile head injury incidents, most notably featuring Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in 2024. The league and the players' union jointly monitor the system and conduct automatic checks whenever a player's on-field assessment raises questions about compliance.
Dart returned to finish the game against Philadelphia, New York's surprise 34-17 win, and later completed all the necessary steps in the process of returning to league play.
