Injury Roundup: The Week Ahead for Cincinnati Bengals

Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals linebacker James Harrison (92) warms up prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M

Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis revealed after Sunday night’s game that linebacker James Harrison had indeed suffered a concussion that forced him from the game in the first quarter, and there have been no further updates since then. It will be tough or him to come back in time to play this Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, which would be a critical loss and likely mean  rookie Jayson DiManche would have to play more.

The initial treatment is rest, and the team doctors and athletic trainers begin monitoring to see when a player appears to have returned to baseline functioning. Do symptoms return when a player watches practice or when he watches film? Is there return of symptoms with physical activity?

Once symptoms have completely passed, the player again performs more neuropsychological tests interpreted by the team neuropsychologist. There are no pass-fail grades, but only additional data for physicians to consider.

If Harrison is progressing well enough, he’ll be become eligible for increased physical activity and more workouts, such as his ability to practice in a limited vs. full capacity Typically, a player feeling normal one day after the game is able to participate in non-contact aspects of practice on Thursday and return to full practice Friday.

At this point, it’s impossible to tell if he’ll play Sunday, but at his age and the Bengals’ need to have him for the entire postseason, they’ll likely play it on the conservative side with him.