Malcolm Jenkins admits to playing with concussion Sunday
By Jason Rowan
Malcolm Jenkins admitted he hid a concussion from medical staff during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 33-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. In fact, the Eagles safety indicated he played an entire half while suffering from symptoms brought upon from a tackle of Cowboys running back Darren McFadden midway through the second quarter.
“It’s probably something, looking back, I shouldn’t have done,” Jenkins said Thursday, via Philly.com “I know the coaching staff and medical staff wasn’t too happy afterward.”
The safety insisted he was “good enough to compete” and “aware of everything” during the game, but also admitted he did not feel quite right, either, although he did point out this was his first concussion.
“I was in a fog,” he said, via ESPN. “It was like being a rookie. The game was moving really fast. As the game went on, I felt better. I knew something wasn’t right.”
Jenkins acknowledged he should have known better than to withhold such information, especially with how much players are instructed on the dangers of playing with a concussion.
“It wasn’t something advised by the coaching staff or the medical staff [to do],” Jenkins said. “They were kind of upset with me afterwards. As players, we’ve all been made aware of the effects of concussion and the severity and dangers, but it’s definitely something I’ll try to handle a little better.”
Jenkins was immediately placed in the NFL concussion protocol once he told the team’s medical staff after the game. He did not practice Tuesday or Wednesday but resumed activities during Thursday’s sessions.
The seventh-year safety insisted he probably wouldn’t handle the situation the same the next time. “Probably not,” Jenkins said. “At this point, especially having one under my belt, the risks are a lot higher once you start to get one. I wouldn’t put myself in position to jeopardize my own health.”
Jenkins played on every down during the game, tallying nine tackles.
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