Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

Rainey ‘OK’ after concussion tests

Chris Rainey repeatedly shook his head in an effort to clear the cobwebs after getting KO’d by Indianapolis cornerback Jerraud Powers in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 26-24 preseason victory Sunday night.

The rookie running back grudgingly relented to tests after being diagnosed with concussion symptoms by team medical personnel.

After struggling to make it to the locker room, the fifth-round pick returned late in the second quarter.

“I begged and I asked them to let me play,” Rainey said. “I passed all the concussion tests. I’m all good now. I’m back to normal.”


In what could be defined as the Colt McCoy Rule, a player who may have been concussed is taken immediately out of games, scrimmages and practices. Coaches and trainers are to keep players out until they are cleared by further testing.

NFL spokesmen could not be reached Monday to determine if the league is reviewing the Steelers’ handling of Rainey.

The Steelers, according to coach Mike Tomlin, reinserted Rainey because, in the team physician’s opinions, his symptoms weren’t cause for alarm.

“I didn’t examine (him),” Tomlin said. “I just go with the doctors. They said he was fine to come back, so we played him.”


Still, Rainey said he took a heavy enough shot that he was momentarily unconscious.

“I woke up, and I’m still here,” said Rainey, who rushed six times for 20 yards and returned kickoffs. “I thought he dove at my head, and I thought there was a penalty.”

Rainey may have been cleared to play, but he was hardly effective. He admitted he struggled to keep his feet under him.

“The hit was one of those ‘Welcome to the National Football League’ hits,” Rainey said. “I kept slipping on cuts, and I dropped a couple of passes. I didn’t like it. I’m taking all the opportunities I can, and sometimes you’ve got to deal with getting hit.”

Tomlin emphasized that after the game. “Everybody needs to feel the urgency of now in this business,” he said. “Particularly in a training camp-type setting, you work with a lot of young people, and there are a lot of guys who don’t understand that.”

In 2007, NFL rules stated a player should not be allowed to return to the same game if he lost consciousness. Under those guidelines, Rainey would have been benched and forced to have further tests before returning to practice Tuesday as the Steelers prepare to play at Buffalo on Saturday


http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/...olts-fine-game

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knocked out and keeps on ticking

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

Very stupid to put him back in. If he lost consciousness and he isn't just imitating Ben on injury drama, it means that the brain took enough of a physical insult to change it's state. That's a brain injury. If he had gotten a 2nd "welcome to the NFL" hit in the game he could have been gone for a long time or changed for life. It's stupid in the SB. I struggle for a word to use for putting him back in for a preseason game.

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

I feel a fine coming.

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

If he really did lose consciousness, I feel some trouble brewing...

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

Tomlin emphasized “Everybody needs to feel the urgency of now in this business”

shake off the cobwebs rookie, you gotta make the team to prove the haters wrong

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

Rainey must not have got the memo from tomlin-

"Shut up, and quit talking to the media about injuries."

he needs a team imposed sanction and should be benched in buffalo. that'll learn him.

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

Well..... it's probably not as bad as the Browns letting Colt McCoy come back after Harrison hit him.

Browns' Training Staff: Wow Colt, you got nailed by the most violent linebacker in the NFL. Hey, is your hand okay?

McCoy: Gee I don't know. My head sure does hurt.

Browns' Training Staff: Hmm, I guess your hand hurts so bad it's causing you headaches. I think you'll be okay going back out.

McCoy: Sure, makes sense! Hey, that number 22 in black.... he's one of our receivers right? I'll throw to him for the go-ahead touchdown!

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

Tomlin loves tough guys, he'll give him a roster spot for sure

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

If the dr.s cleared him to play this should be a non issue.

Re: Rainey says he was knocked unconscious before they put him back in
 

It's not a non-issue because one of the bases of the lawsuits is league doctors violating the standard of care on brain injuries. if he reported losing consciousness he can't be cleared for the same game without there being a big problem.