Is anyone else a little queasy about the idea of Brian Westbrook returning to the Eagles’ lineup Sunday night against the Giants?
It appears as if the Birds’ star running back is going to give it a shot. He appears set to return to the lineup after missing several weeks due to concussion problems. He’ll be joined by star wideout DeSean Jackson, who also missed last week’s win in Atlanta with lingering effects of a concussion.
But it is Westbrook’s situation that causes the unease. He suffered his first concussion earlier in the season when he took a knee to the head against the Redksins. He admitted to being out cold.
Westbrook missed two games, then returned against the Chargers the following week, only to suffer another concussion. That was Nov. 15. He has not played since.
Last night in an interview on HBO’s “Joe Buck Live,” Westbrook offered his first thoughts on the subject and admitted he’s “really scared”
about his future in football.
I don’t blame him a bit. Concussions are a scary thing. And most people with knowledge of them will tell you that once you’ve had one, you’re more susceptible to another one. Not good news to someone who now has had two and makes a living banging helmets with very big, very fast men.
Even with his concerns, Westbrook is hoping to play Sunday night in a very big game against the Giants. He likely will be limited in what he does at practice this week.
I like Brian Westbrook. I would like to see him play. But not if there’s the least indication that he is still suffering from concussion symptoms.
It’s not an easy choice. Westbrook has to weigh the present against what is really an unknown, the effect the concussions could have on his health in the future.
I wish him luck. And offer the following advice: Err on the side of caution.
It appears as if the Birds’ star running back is going to give it a shot. He appears set to return to the lineup after missing several weeks due to concussion problems. He’ll be joined by star wideout DeSean Jackson, who also missed last week’s win in Atlanta with lingering effects of a concussion.
But it is Westbrook’s situation that causes the unease. He suffered his first concussion earlier in the season when he took a knee to the head against the Redksins. He admitted to being out cold.
Westbrook missed two games, then returned against the Chargers the following week, only to suffer another concussion. That was Nov. 15. He has not played since.
Last night in an interview on HBO’s “Joe Buck Live,” Westbrook offered his first thoughts on the subject and admitted he’s “really scared”
about his future in football.
I don’t blame him a bit. Concussions are a scary thing. And most people with knowledge of them will tell you that once you’ve had one, you’re more susceptible to another one. Not good news to someone who now has had two and makes a living banging helmets with very big, very fast men.
Even with his concerns, Westbrook is hoping to play Sunday night in a very big game against the Giants. He likely will be limited in what he does at practice this week.
I like Brian Westbrook. I would like to see him play. But not if there’s the least indication that he is still suffering from concussion symptoms.
It’s not an easy choice. Westbrook has to weigh the present against what is really an unknown, the effect the concussions could have on his health in the future.
I wish him luck. And offer the following advice: Err on the side of caution.
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