Zack Follett Recovering From Concussion

by Sean Yuille on Sep 23, 2010 11:20 AM EDT in Detroit Lions News

Lions linebacker Zack Follett may miss Sunday's game against the Vikings because of a concussion. Follett suffered the concussion after making a hit on a kickoff against the Eagles, and he took a concussion test yesterday and it apparently didn't go well. Like the two Eagles players who suffered concussions against Green Bay (Kevin Kolb and Stuart Bradley) and missed the game against the Lions, Follett needs to pass tests in order to even start working out, so his status for Sunday is definitely in doubt.

Although Follett was clearly woozy following the hit that gave him a concussion, he returned to the game. Why? Well, he passed the initial concussion tests and didn't start to actually feel the effects of the concussion until later on.

"They gave me a concussion test on the field," he said. "They asked questions like what the score was; they had me count backwards and do the days of the week. I was passing all of those. I felt fine but it felt like I was out there in a kind of a dream.

"I was able to play and get through. It was after when the headaches set in."

Right now, I would say Follett is unlikely to play against Minnesota. To even start working out he has to pass concussion tests, and then he has to continue passing them to get into the game on Sunday. If he fails today, for example, he is going to be behind with the game plan and could be ruled out just like Kolb and Bradley were for Philadelphia. Follett could pass a concussion test closer to the game on Sunday, but that would likely merely set him up to return next week.

"Like I said, we will err on the side of caution," Schwartz said. "We're not going to be putting a guy out there who doesn't have all his cognitive senses."

With someone like Follett, who is known for his big hits, it's smart to be careful. The last thing you need is to put Follett back out there too soon and have him get concussed more severely because he wasn't fully recovered.

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

With his style of play this will keep happening as long as he remains on special teams.

Previously DrewMoney$$$ "banned from sbnation" ...

by DetroitDrew1980 on Sep 23, 2010 12:02 PM EDT reply actions

twice we have agreed in as many days

the end truly is near.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Sep 23, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

i havnt commented since monday so i hope your not confusing me with drewslions lol...

Previously DrewMoney$$$ "banned from sbnation" ...

by DetroitDrew1980 on Sep 23, 2010 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

The on Field concussion test needs to be evaluated

This is 2 players in 2 weeks if you count philly. Were a players has had concussion and was allowed to continue play. A concussion is brain damage…Thats probably not a good idea to go back on field at all for a week or 2 atleast.

GET WELL SOON MATT! We need ya man

by The Profiler on Sep 23, 2010 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Yep, this is the problem

Too many false positives on the test for it to be reliable. There should at least be a half hour delay before they go back in so the doctors can look at them for extended periods.

[...]when Giants coach Steve Owen, a certified defensive genius, was asked how he planned to stop Nagurski, he said: "With a shotgun, as he’s leaving the dressing room."

by NobodySpecial on Sep 23, 2010 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I gota be honest.

I dont think we miss a beat with anyone else that fills in. He really hasnt done to much this year. Just being honest. Get healthy and then see if you can win the job back Zack.

by BennieBladesFan on Sep 23, 2010 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately...

I have to agree with you about this. Zack hasn’t exactly been lighting it up out there, but it is unfortunate because he was gaining much needed experience and learning. In all likelihood, Landon Johnson and Ashlee Palmer will share the spot while Follett recovers, and we probably will not notice much of a difference.

Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!

by KDawg on Sep 23, 2010 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

my thoughts exactly...

I want to say that Landon Johnson will more than fill in, and as BBF said, Follett will more than likely have to earn the spot back.

I’m looking at us picking up Greg Jones from MSU (no, im not a homer, I hate the Spartans, but a good lb is a good lb) in the 2nd round this year.

Zack Follett, say hello to special teams duty.

by lions_sucker on Sep 23, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I have seen mocks with us getting him in the 2nd rd.

However im a homer.

by BennieBladesFan on Sep 23, 2010 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be some kind of fantastic

If we can get Patrick Peterson/Prince Namukura in round one and Greg Jones in round two I’ll be ecstatic, and I’m a Wolverine fan. Jones looks like he could hold down the middle for a long time and it would let us move Levy back to OLB. I think that would be the ideal 2011 draft scenario for us, though there’s a couple of other LB’s I’d be happy with in the second.

Really though, as much as I love talking Draft, we really won’t have any real idea of who we might get until the season’s over and we know what position we’re drafting in.

by motown313 on Sep 23, 2010 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Greg Jones...

would move to weakside lb to take Follett’s place, IMO. That would make it Jones/Levy/Peterson. Then we would have to get a developmental guy behind Peterson eventually.

by lions_sucker on Sep 23, 2010 8:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally...

I still think that Landon Johnson at MLB and Levy at OLB would be an upgrade over Levy at MLB and Follett at OLB…and I have been saying that since before the season started,

Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!

by KDawg on Sep 24, 2010 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Landen Johnson is a lot like Shaun Hill to me

A very good backup, but a sub par starter. I will be nervous about his play no matter where they put him. I actually wanted us to put Zack at the MLB spot. He has good size and is good in run support, especially in filling the gaps. He also has a great mentality for a MLB. But the front office wants Levy there because he fits their mold.

That is pretty silly if you ask me. Because Levy is as good outside as he is inside. And Zack I feel would be better inside than outside (mainly because of his skill set and lack of speed compared to Levy). So instead of having a B grade OLB and a C+ to B grade ILB, they will go with the B ILB and a D grade OLB. They gain nothing on individual performance with Levy at MLB instead of OLB and they lose out on unit performance IMO.

While I would like to see a different guy in the middle there, I agree 100% with you on Levy at the outside is better for the team. But the front office is just too damn stubborn to even think it, let alone try it.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Sep 24, 2010 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Honestly,

Follet is still very young and getting a lot of OJT. He hasn’t been stellar by anymeans, but I haven’t seen him super sucking it up. Last week he had a big pass deflect on what would have been a big first down to a Desean Jackson, who had only Landon Johnson about 3 yards behind him (not sure if he had over the top help). He’s showing improvement.

I’m not sure if LJ could be our “Vick.” Maybe……

If you can't spell practise write, then dont repond!

by FMFDOC8404 on Sep 25, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I would hate to not have him out there

but this is pretty simple. As stated above a concussion is BRAIN DAMAGE. Putting your body on the line for a job is one thing. Ask all the hard working blue collar Americans out there whose body has broken down around them from years of hard physical labor about that. I personally have had 2 operations and almost 12 months of physical therapy on my shoulder from damage done in a highly repetitive type of job when i was much younger. I can accept that physical wear and tear will happen to my body from work. Brain Damage on the other hand scares the hell out of me.

That is another story completely and I am happy the NFL is finally trying to limit these type of injuries. The in game approach so far is not ideal but at least steps are being taken.

From my limited experience, I have had a concussion or a few, it seems to me that one concussion leads to another. While the in game evaluation process seems to be lacking and is in need of better regulation. The post game evaluation process seems to be working. Players are being held out of practice and games.

Here’s the thing. I want Zack playing. He has steadily improved in the last year and a half. He has gone from a special teamer to a starting player in an albeit weak LB core. His continued growth is needed for this team to improve. The things he is lacking are mental and he is not going to learn if his brain is scrambled like today’s egg breakfast.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Sep 23, 2010 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

I like Zack, I think he will always play special teams for us and be out there dishing and taking hits

I always seen him as a sort of stop gap at OLB until we could get a more talented player, at what point he would be an excellent depth guy with some starting experience under his belt.

He definitely needs to chill and get right, even if he has to sit out multiple weeks. Palmer can fill in for him and there is not too much drop off there. Palmer is a bit more athletic, but seems to not have quite the football sense that Zack does.

And yes the NFL definitely needs to reevaluate their concussion procedures.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Sep 23, 2010 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

I'm not looking forward to Sunday

So I can put my head between my knees about going 0-3 or brag about beating the Lions(not gonna happen).

All you have to do is blitz the right side(your left) of the Vikes O-line and Brett has no time. They don’t pick it up well and rely too heavily on the 2nd year RT Loadholt. Good luck keeping Peterson in check as the Vikes can hopfully stop Best, the Vikes are the reason he is there and I hope they don’t pay for it.

If Chris Cook was healthy I might not mind having traded down, but don’t think for one second I wouldn’t take Best over Gerhart.

Favre: It's rare to ever see a QB be so indecisive, waffle...
It's also unlikely to have one start 19 consecutive seasons.

by VikesPma on Sep 23, 2010 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

Different kind of runners. And just like many here say if we had Staff or if we got the call or if this or if that we would be 2-0

The Vikings could say the same thing. I like Chris Cook I think he will pan out for you guys if he can stay healthy, its hard to find good corners with size like he has. And if you guys had Toby you would at least be 1-1 because he would have bunched in that TD on 4th and goal.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Sep 23, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

bunched = punched

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Sep 23, 2010 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah I wish but

I don’t think Toby is a better inside runner than AP(to get that 4th & goal). If he proves to be I will be delightedly surprised.

Favre: It's rare to ever see a QB be so indecisive, waffle...
It's also unlikely to have one start 19 consecutive seasons.

by VikesPma on Sep 23, 2010 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't expect Zack on Sunday

Our LB corp is pretty weak as it is, this will just make it tougher.

RIP Robyn Bailey 1961 - 2010. I love you mum.

by Hyperion Ecta on Sep 23, 2010 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

u must be drinkin jamarcus russells kool-aid

U think toby is better inside runner then ap? Wtf whatever

by devinb on Sep 23, 2010 9:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I didnt say he is a better inside runner, but they did pass up on Best then trade up for Gerhart who is known as a bruising power runner

I did say that he is likely to develop into a better get 2-3 yards in a pile of dust runner and better goal line option. He may not be now but it is far too early to tell, but it is pretty clear that the Vikings like him. After all they passed up on the explosion back Best, and traded up for Gerhart. Hindsight is 20/20 but the fact is that AP got stuffed on 4th and goal. So it is pretty easy to sit back and say that Gerhart would do better in that role.

Gerhart is a one cut and up type runner, AP on the other hand will try to dance around and get fancy, not to mention let the ball hang out there like a sack of potatoes while he is running. You bet I would rather have a healthy Toby Gerhart in that situation.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Sep 24, 2010 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions

Zack won't be in.

Levy will be back though. He’s good against the run, that should help.

by coolbreeze42 on Sep 23, 2010 9:48 PM EDT reply actions

"arms wide open "offseason outlook 2011

I was just sittn here sippin on sum kool-aid and daydreaming about what the lions should try to accomplish in 2011.Its kinda of funny but seems possible.You hear stories all of the time about former players returning back to their previous teams after leaving via free agency.For prime example this season antwon randall ell from pitt, defensive mastermind Larry Foote and the list goes on… Lol but u get my point!Anyways as the ship is sinking fast in big D ,I have this weird feeling that Roy Williams misses detroit. I was pretty sad to see him go and I’m sure along with many others roy william fans. Roy was pretty dominant for us in his short tenure here . Why wouldn’t he want to come back here to be honest? I mean he was definitely a fan favorite! Nothing against nate burleson but I see him more as our 3rd option at wr. Roy s hands are still like glue and I could see stafford fire n the ball into him on 3rd and 8 and roy catching the ball and roy gettn up and doin his famous first down notion with his hands. Lol maybe I need to slow down on the kool aid (grape) but I could see this really happening…. We need wr that has sure hands,I have been seeing to many dropped ballls the last couple of weeks. We are short at wr since mr irrelevent never panned out and derrik williams he is just horrible, so we do have holes at wr. I hope burleson makes it back soon beacause I don’t think Best can keep catching that many balls a game. We need more carries from him at rb for we can play action and go up top to CJ . In closing roy come back , we need ya !

by devinb on Sep 24, 2010 4:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yep dat dere iz gud stuff yah drinkin

I don’t think we want Roy back, he pretty much gave up on this team and bailed because he wanted to be on a winner. Yeah he was classy about it in a lot of ways and all but the thing is that we don’t want players that look to be on a winner, we need players that look to make a winner.

Writing off Derrick Williams and Tim Toone at this point is too soon. Williams actually looked much improved as a receiver in the preseason, other than the one big drop where he was wide open. Toone may never amount to anything but it is just too early to tell.

Historically free agent wide receivers are almost always a disappointment. I like Nate and want to see what he can do over the course of a whole season before I write him off. Looking in on 2011 I would like us to get a late round gem in a wide receiver, something like Tampa did with Mike Williams, or Denver did with Mike Decker.

Roy is a lazy route runner and for all the talent of his hands he should be able to run every route on the tree with the years he has under his belt. I would rather have a less talented hard worker than a guy with all of the talent that just does not work hard or practice hard. Heck if we are talking 2011 free agents I would much rather have Randy Moss than Roy Williams.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Sep 24, 2010 4:37 AM EDT up reply actions

What round was Antonio Brown drafted in again??

Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!

by KDawg on Sep 24, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions

Nevermind...

It was round 6 pick 195…

Yeah…I would have loved to see us draft that kid, and I would love to see us do something similar to what the Steelers did when they drafted him in the 6th round. He is awesome.

Instead of drafting a guy like Brown however, the Lions traded their 6th round pick (plus a 2011 conditional 7th rounder) to the Falcons in exchange for Chris Houston. I like Houston, and I think he is decent…but I would have loved to have Antonio Brown too. I guess the difference for Mayhew was that Houston already had proven NFL experience, and with Brown (even though I say it was obvious that he was going to be special in the NFL) it was hit or miss.

Oh you didn't know?? You're ass better CALLLLLLLL SOMEBODY!!!!!

by KDawg on Sep 24, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

our offense is built to win now or next season

I like your theory about looking for a gem at wr,however I just wonder if you took a page out of millens gm strategy book. Roy lacks speed, he is an excelent blocker,route runner and clearly knows how to find open spots in the zone.Scott linehans offense is geared more for roy than martz “s u get to this spot and I will throw it their offense.Drafting a wr is just not possible in which it takes way to much time for a rookie to fully grasp an offense. The lions can’t put that much faith on a unproven player. Like coach jim said himself we r lacking talent and roy fully fills that void! Signing Moss just doesn’t seem possible beacause of money issues and age.Roy simply fills our void and personally I don’t see another wideout who doesn’t fit our mold of lions. Dallas will must likey cut roy in the offseason beacuse jerry jones has to blame somebody, we could pick roy up then and sign him to a reduced salary. in which I think he would beacause the lions are actually a few peaces away from being legitimate sb contenders.Roy never had that chance here and who wants to play for losers!Its no different than the Barry Sanders factor. Evilsmurf I’m sorry millen raised you on running a team but your comment is really far fetched! Theirs more to football than x”s and o"s ,it really comes down too raw talent and players having the mindset that I’m better than you. I’m sorry I don’t see no late round gem providing that for us!!!!!lol

by devinb on Sep 25, 2010 7:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Roy is not coming back to Detroit

No Chance in hell. I just don’t see it. Jones is not going to cut him because that would be admitting that he made, not just a mistake, but a colossal mistake of massive proportions.

I just can’t see it happening. He is going to force feed Roy down his next coach, next year.

Lions fans deserve better than being the laughing stock of the NFL. Lets all hope they are heading in the right direction finally.

by joshsun on Sep 25, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah Roy is so great that he lost his job to a rookie, but yo-u cant draft receiver talent that shows up in the first year right.

LoL what is this Millen crap? Millen took receivers in the first round, I am talking 3rd round or later. Oh yeah the other receiver that bumped Roy out of a job, Austen Miles was not even drafted LoL. So what because Millen sucked the Lions are never supposed to draft another receiver ever? Get real dude. Roy Williams is a legend in his own mind, and you sir have bought into his hype. If he was really all that and a bag of chips he would not be the number 3 receiver in Dallas, being beat out by a rookie and a guy who was not even drafted.

Ndamukong Suh - Bringing 50's football back to Motown!

by Evilsmurf on Sep 25, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions