09-21-2007, 02:17 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Both of them
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,225
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Thomas might be out with concussion
Dolphins' Thomas might be out with concussion - 09/21/2007 - MiamiHerald.com
Quote:
As though there was even any need to question Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas' toughness, the team's hardest-hitting player might have proved his resiliency once more.
Thomas might have played Sunday's entire loss against the Cowboys after possibly sustaining a concussion on his first or second play of the game. He underwent testing Thursday to determine whether it will cause him to miss action against the Jets.
''It was hard for me to know there was something wrong with him because he played the whole game,'' teammate Joey Porter said. ``But he kept asking for another mouthpiece. A brand new one is harder. I guess when you have a concussion, if you feel something tight in your mouth, you can't bite down as hard.''
The team didn't know about the issue until after the game. Thomas also didn't complain about symptoms until his adrenaline settled. That's when a migraine set in and he realized the problem might have been worse than anticipated.
Thomas missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and coach Cam Cameron said the team would take every precaution when deciding his status for Sunday. The prognosis didn't look optimistic Thursday.
''We'll see what takes place overnight, take a look at it [today], and then we'll be able to let you know whether he will play or not on Sunday,'' Cameron said. ``We want to be smart. Our medical team is on top of it. We will be very precautionary, and we do that for anyone, much less a man like Zach that I know all of you respect.''
IT'S TYPICAL
This isn't the first time Thomas has dealt with migraines or potential concussions. Yet even with a history of taking those hard hits, the linebacker has missed only 13 games in 12 seasons.
Then again, as several other linebackers said Thursday, concussions are a normal part of their lives -- part of the reason the NFL continues to study ways to prevent brain injuries.
''I honestly think you probably get a concussion per game,'' linebacker Channing Crowder said. ``I don't know the severity of it, but every time you get dinged or blank out, it's a slight concussion. I guess this one was just a little more severe than he thought during the game.''
Linebackers Donnie Spragan and Derrick Pope both agreed that their position makes them susceptible to such issues -- but even given the common nature of concussions, both still worry whenever a teammate needs to miss time because of one.
Crowder said the toughest part for Thomas will be trying to get his confidence back whenever doctors tell him he is healthy enough play.
''Playing so long, you get dinged up,'' Crowder said. ``You just don't know when you'll be confident, when your head will clear up. That's the main thing about a concussion, not knowing the severity of it. He's an older guy, and he's been through them before, so I'm sure he'll be fine.''
CONTINGENCY PLAN
If Thomas can't play Sunday, Crowder will move from weak-side linebacker to Thomas' spot in the middle. Pope will move into the starting weak-side role, although Spragan is also capable of shifting from strong side to weak side as well.
Crowder spent nearly all of the preseason at middle linebacker while the coaching staff decided to rest Thomas and other veterans for three of the four preseason games. Crowder adjusted well, having also played there while at the University of Florida.
''Channing and Derrick Pope are both experienced players that, really, have played at both spots,'' defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. ``We tried to rotate them through training camp to where they would get work at all those positions.''
Still, though Crowder said he is comfortable playing the middle position, he admitted there's no easy way to replace a Pro Bowl player such as Thomas.
''It's big,'' Crowder said of the prospect of losing Thomas. ``You could even tell the difference [at practice Thursday]. Just his presence and knowledge of the game is really missed when he's not on the field.''
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Thomas might be out with concussion
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