NFLPA Investigating ATC Spotter for Handling of Brandon Fusco Concussion

The NFL Players Association is investigating an ATC spotter from last week's game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings in which the spotter may have missed a concussion suffered by Vikings offensive lineman Brandon Fusco. 

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported the NFLPA's exploration into the matter.

"Per a league source," Florio wrote, "the NFLPA is investigating whether the spotter failed to recognize and/or to take action in response to the apparent struggles of Fusco to get to his feet after a block that involved helmet-to-helmet contact."

According to the NFL's operations website, the ATC spotter's role has changed this season, as they have been given the authority to use medical timeouts in an effort to get players out of the game to give a proper examination. 

The rule states that the ATC spotter can only stop play "with clear visual evidence" of a player who has "obvious signs of disorientation or is clearly unstable" and if the player tries to stay in the game without being attended to by the team's medical staff. 

Fusco was injured late in the third quarter of Minnesota's win over Detroit. He pulled from his spot on the left side of the offensive line and appeared to slam helmet to helmet into a Lions defender before being able to get back to his feet. 

The 27-year-old did miss the Vikings' practice Wednesday but returned Thursday after clearing one hurdle in the NFL's concussion protocol. 

Given the rise of information about head injuries and concussions suffered by former NFL players in recent years, Fusco's situation is certainly one the league and the NFLPA need to monitor to prevent further issues.