NFL Teams Approve Medical Timeout Based on Communication to Side Judge

The NFL has taken another step in its efforts to prevent and limit the damage done by head trauma and other serious injuries, as teams voted at this year's NFL owners meetings to institute a medical timeout during games.   

Chris Mortensen of ESPN has the report:

Kent Somers of AZCentral.com has more on one reason the league approved the timeout this offseason:

Troy Vincent provided some perspective on the matter, via ProFootballTalk:

NFL competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay said the NFL looked at the Edelman situation in weighing the change, according to John Keim of ESPN.com, and he discussed the reasoning behind the move:

"

It came a little bit from the health and safety committee just saying, "we've got these (certified athletic trainers) spotters. They've got a really good vantage point. They've got technology in their booth. They're communicating pretty well with our trainers and doctors, and we've got a pretty good rhythm going there." Why would we miss a play when a player should come out?

"

In essence, the new rule means that a neutral medical observer can pause the game if he or she suspects a player has suffered a serious injury, likely a concussion, but hasn't come out of the game and is in need of medical attention.

It's no secret that many players will attempt to hide such injuries or will continue to play despite appearing woozy or in pain after a blow to the head, so taking the decision out of their hands to leave the game is logical.

Brandon Wade/Associated Press

Not everyone agrees with the medical timeout, however, including Christopher Hansen of Bleacher Report:

Certainly, there will need to be stiff penalties in place for any player who attempts to fake an injury to earn a free timeout, and the league will likely stress how important it is for players to not take advantage of the neutral medical observers.

Regardless, it is a positive sign that the NFL continues to improve its handling of head trauma and serious injuries on the field of play.