Dennis Allen is going on the defense after the NFL Players Association announced they were investigating whether or not the Oakland Raiders followed protocol with Terrelle Pryor's concussion. The quarterback suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit against the Denver Broncos on Monday night football. He remained in the game for two more plays before being taken out, a move that might land the team in trouble.
Fox Sports is questioning whether or not Pryor talked with Allen after the hit and why the team put him in for two more plays before examining him for a concussion. Allen insists the team did everything right to guarantee the safety of their quarterback.
"I feel confident that we followed the protocol and did what we were supposed to do," Allen said, via the Contra Costa Times. "We all understand the emphasis placed on player safety specifically in this regard. We don't ever want to put a player out there and put him in danger."
Pryor was not available to media after the game per NFL rules. He did tweet out that he remembered nothing from the game, but promised fans that he was fine and was recovering. The quarterback did not practice on Wednesday. Allen noted Pryor was going through tests mandated by the league before he can be cleared to return to the practice field.
There is some worry in Oakland the Pryor will not play on Sunday. Cornerback Tracy Porter also suffered a concussion on Sunday and was cleared to practice by Wednesday. Pryor's concussion appears to be more severe. While Porter cleared every test, the quarterback has yet to make it through the initial phase of testing. Allen insists that no matter what, Pryor will not see the field until cleared.
"We're going to follow it and do what we're supposed to do," Allen said. "Really, it's a matter of when the medical personnel feel like he's fine and he's cleared to practice and play, then he'll be out there practicing and playing."
The NFL has released a statement saying they believe the Raiders followed the rules, but was looking into the matter as standard procedure. Allen told media that initially Pryor showed no signs of a concussion so the team did not think twice about keeping him in the game for two more plays. It was not until Pryor came off the field that the medical staff escorted the quarterback to the locker room.
At this time, Matt Flynn is working with the first-team offense in preparation for Sunday. If Pryor is unable to play, the veteran will get his first start of the season.
