NEW YORK — The NFL has told its game officials to watch closely for concussion symptoms in players.
Ten days after San Diego guard Kris Dielman sustained a head injury against the Jets and later suffered a seizure on the team’s flight home from New York, the league’s injury and safety panel issued the directive Wednesday.
“Our game officials will receive concussion awareness training and will remain alert to possible concussions during games,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said. “If an official believes a player may have suffered a concussion, he should take appropriate steps to alert the team and get medical attention for the player.”
Dielman was concussed with approximately 12 minutes remaining in the Oct. 23 game, after which he struggled to maintain balance. He finished the game despite the head injury and was not assessed until after the loss to New York.
The Chargers did not mention any injuries following the game and only announced Dielman’s injury shortly before the team boarded a plane for San Diego.
Dielman suffered a grand mal seizure near the end of the charter flight, although he was cleared of all long-term complications surrounding the concussion and seizure.
The Chargers came under scrutiny for how they handled Dielman’s injury, but coach Norv Turner said at the time he believed the team dealt with the situation as best it could.
Giants prepare for Patriots with five starters sitting
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants started preparations for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots without five starters.
Leading running back Ahmad Bradshaw (foot), starting wide receivers Hakeem Nicks (hamstring) and Mario Manningham (illness), center David Baas (knee) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (shoulder) missed Wednesday’s practice.
The biggest concerns seem to Baas and Nicks, who were injured in Sunday’s 20-17 win over Miami.
Around the league
* FALCONS: Atlanta left tackle Sam Baker will miss three to four weeks with a back injury. Will Svitek, who started for Baker in the Falcons’ 23-16 victory at Detroit two weeks ago, is expected to take his place again Sunday when Atlanta visits Indianapolis. Baker, a late first-round draft pick in 2008, has started 41 of 44 career games.
* BILLS: Buffalo starting defensive tackle Kyle Williams will have a better idea next week on the status of his injured left foot, and when - or if - he’ll be able to return to play this season. Williams said. doctors intend to run tests on his foot Monday, when the protective boot he’s been wearing for the past two weeks will be removed.
* SAINTS: New Orleans placed offensive tackle Charles Brown on injured reserve and signed veteran Ray Willis to take his spot on the active roster. Brown, who started five games at right tackle in place of injured veteran Zach Strief, hurt his right hip during Sunday’s game at St. Louis. Willis, 29, began his NFL career in 2005, but has not played since 2009.
* JAGUARS: Jacksonville placed receiver Mike Sims-Walker on injured reserve and were awarded receiver Brian Robiskie off waivers from Cleveland. Sims-Walker, signed two weeks ago after being cut by St. Louis, injured a knee in Sunday’s game at Houston.
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