Each week, without fail, several NFL players are concussed. And each week we make GIFs in order to show how those concussions happen—which, often, is not by way of the big hits, but instead fairly normal-looking collisions. Week one saw six players concussed. In week two, three players left games with concussions and a fourth, seven days removed from a diagnosed concussion, was removed from the game with what his team called a "stinger." Three days later, the team called it what it really was: a concussion.
Jeremiah Ratliff, DT, Chicago Bears
Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff, number 90 in white, was concussed on a routine running play that saw him bounce off a handful of players before finding his head at the bottom of a dog-pile. He'd stay in the game one more play and then leave for good. According to Bears coach Marc Trestman, Ratliff is day-to-day.
Joseph Randle, RB, Dallas Cowboys
If GIFs had audio, you'd hear a thunderous crack followed by 80,000 "ohhhh"s after this hit. You'd also hear Troy Aikman talk about how dangerous kickoffs are. It's true. As of Wednesday, Randle wasn't practicing.
Asa Jackson CB, Baltimore Ravens
Anyone who believes eliminating kickoffs will eliminate concussions should watch injuries like this one. Jackson, number 25 on the right, can be seen going for the ankle tackle on Steelers receiver Antonio Brown and then remaining on the ground. That innocent-looking play resulted in a concussion. Jackson returned to practice Tuesday and is expected to play this weekend.
Vontaze Burfict, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
A week after suffering a concussion against the Ravens, Burfict was suited up and on the field against the Falcons last Sunday. Not three minutes into the game, the above happened. After the hit, which looked very much like the one that hurt him last week, Burfict was sent to the sideline by the referee. Inexplicably, Burfict returned to the game and later took a knee to the head from a teammate. That GIF is below. After that hit, he left the game with what the team called a "stinger". On Wednesday, the diagnosis was revised to reveal what everyone watching the game already knew: Burfict had suffered two concussions within seven days. He sat out practice on Wednesday and his status for this weekend is "in doubt".
Adam K. Raymond is a news, politics, and technology writer in Louisville, Kentucky. He has written for New York Magazine, Medium, Gizmodo, and others.
