Bengals' Lewis: Because of media, concussions 'seem to linger longer'
Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis suggested at a news conference on Wednesday that the media's coverage of concussions has caused them to "linger longer."
Lewis' comments come after he was asked if there was any concern about linebacker Vontaze Burfict "as a human being" after he suffered multiple concussions.
"Well, he had a concussion against Atlanta. That's that biggest concern that way. You don't want him to have, you know, but again I coached defenses and linebackers for a long time and concussions didn't linger. Now we have found that because of the media and things they seem to linger longer. There's a lot of attention paid to it. I don't know why they linger longer. I don't remember them lingering like they do now."
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Burfict suffered a head injury in Sunday's tie with the Carolina Panthers and was declared questionable to return. He underwent a concussion test and was cleared to reenter the game.
Burfict missed the previous two games, against the Titans and Patriots, due to concussions. The 23-year-old has recorded 13 tackles over three games this season and led the NFL with 115 tackles last season.
In July, a federal judge granted preliminary approval to a $765 million settlement over concussions between the NFL and more than 4,500 retired players. Objections to the settlement have been filed on behalf of multiple players.
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Best Photos from the Opening Month of the NFL Season
Alshon Jeffery (Week 1)
Josh McCown (Week 1)
Antonio Brown (Week 1)
Hakeem Nicks (Week 1)
Gavin Escobar (Week 1)
Nick Folk (Week 1)
Rod Streater (Week 1)
Doug Baldwin (Week 1)
Robert Griffin III (Week 1)
Marshawn Lynch (Week 1)
Justin Hunter (Week 1)
Giovani Bernard (Week 2)
Demaryius Thomas (Week 2)
Brian Hoyer (Week 2)
Michael Floyd (Week 2)
Eric Decker (Week 2)
Thomas DeCoud (Week 2)
Matthew Stafford (Week 2)
Alfred Morris (Week 2)
Kenny Stills (Week 2)
Justin Forsett (Week 2)
Ravens vs. Steelers (Week 2)
Dennis Pitta (Week 2)
Devin McCourty (Week 2)
Drew Stanton (Week 3)
Malcom Floyd (Week 3)
Corey Graham (Week 3)
Peyton Manning (Week 3)
Travis Kelce (Week 3)
Caleb Sturgis (Week 3)
Andrew Luck (Week 3)
Alfred Morris (Week 3)
Niles Paul (Week 3)
Eric Weems (Week 3)
Kendrick Lewis (Week 3)
Rashad Jennings (Week 3)
Julian Edelman (Week 3)
Darren McFadden (Week 3)
Brian Quick (Week 3)
Larry Donnell (Week 4)
Antonio Brown (Week 4)
Branden Oliver (Week 4)
Matt Ryan (Week 4)
Michael Crabtree (Week 4)
Julio Jones (Week 5)
Drew Brees (Week 5)
DeMarco Murray (Week 5)
Dez Bryant (Week 5)
Dan Bailey (Week 5)
Peyton Manning (Week 5)
Tom Brady (Week 5)
- Chris Johnson