It’s Concussion Protocol For Mitch Unrein
August 27th, 2018
Bucs DT Mitch Unrein has a concussion history
New Bucs defensive lineman Mitch Unrein shouldn’t need a bunch of work to be ready for the season, but his time off is adding up fast and it’s not a good sign for a veteran with a documented history of concussions.
Unrein, one of the Bucs’ priority free agent signings this offseason, was a versatile run-stuffer defensive end from the Bears and their 3-4 defense ranked 1oth in the NFL last year.
Team Glazer approved paying the 31-year-old $3 million this season.
Unrein impressed big-time early in training camp but he hasn’t played in preseason games and isn’t practicing.
Dirk Koetter revealed today that Unrein is the NFL concussion protocol and offered no timetable for his return. That’s out of the Bucs’ hands, of course, and subject to league guidelines.
Joe wishes Unrein well.
As the clock ticks toward opening day, just 12 short days, the Bucs’ dream of an eight-man D-line rotation against the Saints is fading.
August 27th, 2018 at 5:27 pm
But of course this league loves f#cking over the Bucs constantly, so he’ll likely be on “concussion protocal” for the entire year.
August 27th, 2018 at 5:27 pm
Not a good sign for his health….Bucs aside
August 27th, 2018 at 5:33 pm
I believe we have the longest list of injured of any team……not the most serious injuries but the most players……hopefully as the season goes on, we get a shot in the arm with returning players.
August 27th, 2018 at 5:36 pm
Yes, the league is out to get the Bucs…. way more likely than our front office spending 3 mil on a guy with scrambled brains…
August 27th, 2018 at 5:53 pm
I saw this and thought to myself “There’s a good chance one of the few comments on here is criticizing the Bucs for a guy getting a concussion in a practice”
Sure enough lol.
August 27th, 2018 at 6:01 pm
Joe, thanks for running this story as i asked about it the other day. Do we have any idea as to what the NFL looks for in passing their concussion protocol? As i mentioned before, i have had a few and not all are the same and none of them are good.
As for Etzel’s extremely naive comment, i can assure you that probably 90% of NFL players have had a concussion at one point in their life. You don’t play this sport for that long and avoid getting your head dinged.
This duration of this protocol for Unrein does not speak well with for his longevity with the Bucs. My guess is that if he comes back, another concussion will end his time here. I wish him well though.
August 27th, 2018 at 6:27 pm
Being an NFL player and experiencing some sort’ve typical concussive impacts in your career is different than being someone who’s had two diagnosed in your career with the second having long-term lingering effects……..
August 27th, 2018 at 6:27 pm
I feel one more concussion could be the end of his football career.
August 27th, 2018 at 6:28 pm
The Chicago Sun-Times link that you included to that story regarding new helmets is awesome Joe … a great read. It sounded like Unrein was having trouble getting it together AFTER he got cleared (that was his 2nd career concussion & it also happened in last year’s training camp). He started wearing the new VICIS Zero-1 helmet after that, and I’m curious if he was wearing that new helmet when this latest concussion happened in Bucs training camp.
August 27th, 2018 at 6:50 pm
DR… just speculation but his issues might not be as a result of this training camp but lingering/ reoccurrence of symptoms…
August 27th, 2018 at 7:15 pm
Good point AlteredEgo, and a scary one. If they deem that to be true, I hope that Mitch is smart enough to walk away while he still can.
August 27th, 2018 at 7:45 pm
Just another example of how a poorly run organization picks up washed up veterans that are only here to get a paycheck. Sports agents laugh at the Bucs behind closed doors with their clients/players. All theee DLineman that the Bucs picked up this offs asp. will not play all 1/2 of the games this year.
August 27th, 2018 at 7:51 pm
@ Go deep 66. Everything you just said is illogical.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:09 pm
Alan- Also not true. Just a fools opinion. NEVER backed up with sources. Remember these are the same people who complained that Koetter training camp was too soft.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:26 pm
Stanglassman: Exactly. You can’t win with these people man. If we don’t hit in practice we are too soft. If we hit in practice and people get injured (Which by the way happens on every team) it’s the organization’s fault. Just not true and illogical. We have been fortunate so far to not have many catostrophic injuries. If people don’t like something then they create things not to like.
August 27th, 2018 at 8:36 pm
He’s likely headed to the PUP list if he is still foggy. Perhaps Worthy makes the cut…? Either way…we need the ability of availability1 at this point.
1 Bill Parcells
August 27th, 2018 at 8:47 pm
Another GREAT F.A. signing by Licht. Sweezy 2.0
August 28th, 2018 at 6:07 am
IMO Licht should do more homework on some players he signs. That said 3 million
is not a big risk for a player that has had one concussion. Also think any player
that gets a concussion with long lasting symptoms is in danger of a repeat if they suffer another concussion. Reminds me of of fighter who gets knocked out from a
series of blows rather than a one punch knockout. The former is more likely to cause serious damage.
August 28th, 2018 at 7:26 am
$3 million?! What did GM Licht know, and when did he know it? #PaidFloridaVacation
August 28th, 2018 at 8:30 am
godeep- Do you EVER have anything positive to say?! I cannot think of a worse existence! You do know that they have treatments for your condition?!
Get well soon Mitch. We could use you in that rotation.
August 28th, 2018 at 12:56 pm
I would rather see people dinged up in the preseason than in the regular season. Hopefully, these guys are getting healthy for the regular season. There is no need for the players to tough anything out when it is PRESEASON. I would rather see these guys getting healed up, stretched out, and taken care of in preparation for the regular season. It is normal for some dings and small muscle tears to happen at this time of year. Their bodies have to adapt to the contact again. All I care about is the regular season. Hopefully most of these guys will be good to go after another week and 5 days to get healthy….guys….please hurry and get before my optimism gets crushed, and I find myself mowing the grass instead of watching the Bucs game with a cold beer.