National Football League

Browns: We followed protocol with McCoy

Published Dec. 12, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Browns coach Pat Shurmur maintains his team's medical staff followed NFL guidelines when quarterback Colt McCoy was cleared to go back in Thursday's game at Pittsburgh despite a concussion.

McCoy did not show signs of a concussion until after the game, Shurmur said. The second-year QB was laid out on a helmet-to-helmet hit from Pittsburgh's James Harrison, who is facing league penalties and possibly a suspension.

Shurmur refused to provide a "yes or no" answer when asked specifically if the team administered the standard tests to McCoy for a concussion while he was on the sideline. McCoy was off the field for less than four minutes before returning to the game and throwing a costly interception in Cleveland's 14-3 loss.

"He was deemed ready to play and he went back in the game," Shurmur said following practice. "We followed all the proper medical procedures."

On Sunday, ESPN, citing unnamed sources, said the league has determined the Browns did not test McCoy for a concussion until Friday. Shurmur said he was unaware of the report.

League spokesman Greg Aiello said in an email that any discussions with the Browns will remain confidential.

The Browns have no immediate plans to make a member of the medical staff available for comment.

McCoy did not practice Monday and Shurmur does not know if he will be able to play Sunday at Arizona. McCoy reported to work, but was sent home.

Shurmur said he has spoken with McCoy but not about his head injury.

Tight end Benjamin Watson and fullback Owen Marecic also missed practice as they also recover from concussions sustained against the Steelers.

The Browns have had a high number of concussions the past two years, and wide receiver Josh Cribbs believes the team does a good job of caring for its players.

"Sometimes it might go above and beyond," he said. "When I had a concussion last year I wanted to go back in despite not remembering the hit and things of that nature. When guys want to win so bad, that competition, that desire to win, that will in them wants to keep playing, somebody else has to tell you, 'No you can't.'

"Sometimes I feel like we can be overprotective. I feel like our training staff is one of the best at getting guys back healthy."