Broncos injury update: Wilson in post-concussion protocol
Dec 14, 2022, 12:55 PM | Updated: 3:06 pm
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Russell Wilson isn’t through the NFL’s post-concussion protocol. But he is reaching a point of “increased physical activity,” which is a sign that he’s progressing through the stages.
“He’ll be working through it with his increased physical activity as he moves forward,” Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett said.
“We’re taking it day-by-day.”
And on Wednesday, that meant seeing work during the individual period of practice.
Russell Wilson throws at Broncos practice: pic.twitter.com/K6cqXPLkmm
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 14, 2022
Hackett emphasized that the Broncos and Wilson will follow the protocol “exactly.”
The protocol includes five stages. The first can include “light aerobic activity.” In Phase Two, Wilson could undergo “graduated cardiovascular exercise,” as well as “dynamic stretching and balance training.”
Post-concussion protocol:
Phase 1: Symptom-limited activity
Phase 2: Aerobic exercise
Phase 3: Football-specific exercise (can be w/ team, no more than 30 min., which is where Wilson appeared to be)
Phase 4: Non-contact training drills
Phase 5: Full gohttps://t.co/gMEiVrAKzd— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) December 14, 2022
Phase Three can involve “football-specific exercise” in which Wilson can have up to 30 minutes of work with the team.
“We’re just following the protocol exactly how we need to,” Hackett said, “and making sure that we increase his physical activity appropriately as the NFL has listed it out.
Hackett added that Wilson will be involved in the game-planning meetings this week.
“In the end, his safety is what matters most to us,” Hackett said. “We want to be sure that we’re taking care of him and all his well-being, and we’re doing what’s right for Russell. It always starts right away with the medical department. We’ve got a really good medical department. The independent neurologists, we’re going to be sure we’re in constant communication with them.
“He’s being monitored by everybody, and we’ll go from there. We’ll talk with him, and it will be an organizational decision.”
But Hackett knows that Wilson will try to push to play if he passes through the protocol. Wilson came back from a partially-torn hamstring in October after missing just one game.
“That’s what you love about Russell,” Hackett said. “But for us, it starts with the medical team, and it’s day-by-day right now. Then, we’ll all discuss and do what’s best for Russell first and foremost, and then the organization.”
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