Bills quarterback Josh Allen is allowed back on the field despite a head impact in week 5. NFL and union explain the background in a statement.

In the fifth week of the NFL season, the game between the Houston Texans and the Buffalo Bills (23-20) saw some disturbing scenes. In the third quarter, Bills quarterback Josh Allen was almost sacked before he was able to throw the ball away at the last second.

Moments later, the playmaker hit the ground with his head or helmet and remained lying dazed. The signal caller was treated immediately, with teammates kneeling beside him and praying.

Just over six minutes later, two minutes of game time had passed, the 28-year-old returned to the field, to everyone’s surprise – despite having been examined for a possible concussion beforehand.

The NFL and the NFLPA have now issued a joint statement defending the process that allowed Allen to return to the game.

“The NFL and the NFLPA have reviewed the reports of the independent neurotrauma consultant and the booth spotter, and these reports confirm that the steps required by the concussion protocol were followed in the evaluation and release of Bills quarterback Josh Allen in last Sunday’s game,” the statement said, which was provided to NFL Insider Tom Pelissero.

Josh Allen felt fit according to his own statements

And further: “The protocol was jointly developed and is jointly administered by the NFL and the NFLPA. As part of the program, the parties jointly identify, commission and train uninvolved neurotrauma consultants and booth spotters.”

After the game, Allen had stated that he had received a strong blow to the chest and sprained his ankle: “They indicated to me that I had hit my head, but I felt well enough to go back into the game.”

On Wednesday, he emphasized: “Of course I went into the tent. I can only control what I can control. We talked about the fact that they think I’m able to play, and that’s what happened. I won’t go into any more detail than that.”