Bengals' Lewis: Because of media, concussions 'seem to linger longer'

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis suggested at a news conference on Wednesday that the media's coverage of concussions has caused them to "linger longer."

SI Wire | Oct 15, 2014

Bengals' Lewis: Because of media, concussions 'seem to linger longer' /

Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis suggested at a news conference on Wednesday that the media's coverage of concussions has caused them to "linger longer."

Lewis' comments come after he was asked if there was any concern about linebacker Vontaze Burfict "as a human being" after he suffered multiple concussions.

From The Cincinnati Enquirer:

"Well, he had a concussion against Atlanta. That's that biggest concern that way. You don't want him to have, you know, but again I coached defenses and linebackers for a long time and concussions didn't linger. Now we have found that because of the media and things they seem to linger longer. There's a lot of attention paid to it. I don't know why they linger longer. I don't remember them lingering like they do now."

• Family of ex-Bears safety Dave Duerson rejects NFL concussion deal

Burfict suffered a head injury in Sunday's tie with the Carolina Panthers and was declared questionable to return. He underwent a concussion test and was cleared to reenter the game.

Burfict missed the previous two games, against the Titans and Patriots, due to concussions. The 23-year-old has recorded 13 tackles over three games this season and led the NFL with 115 tackles last season.

In July, a federal judge granted preliminary approval to a $765 million settlement over concussions between the NFL and more than 4,500 retired players. Objections to the settlement have been filed on behalf of multiple players.

• GALLERY: Best photos from the NFL season

Best Photos from the Opening Month of the NFL Season

Alshon Jeffery (Week 1)

Chicago's Alshon Jeffery pulled in five passes for 71 yards against the Buffalo Bills.

Josh McCown (Week 1)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown throws an interception after being hit by defensive end Charles Johnson of the Carolina Panthers.

Antonio Brown (Week 1)

Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown kicks Cleveland punter Spencer Lanning in the face on the return, drawing an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Hakeem Nicks (Week 1)

Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by strong safety T.J. Ward of the Denver Broncos.

Gavin Escobar (Week 1)

Dallas Cowboys tight end Gavin Escobar is brought down by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Antoine Bethea.

Nick Folk (Week 1)

Nick Folk of the New York Jets kicks a field goal against the Oakland Raiders.

Rod Streater (Week 1)

Wide receiver Rod Streater gives the Raiders a brief 7-3 lead over the Jets.

Doug Baldwin (Week 1)

Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin runs past Packers free safety Micah Hyde.

Robert Griffin III (Week 1)

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III is sacked by Houston Texans linebackers Brooks Reed and Mike Mohamed.

Marshawn Lynch (Week 1)

Marshawn Lynch of the Seahawks scores his second touchdown against the Packers.

Justin Hunter (Week 1)

Ron Parker of the Kansas City Chiefs breaks up a pass intended for Justin Hunter of the Tennessee Titans.

Giovani Bernard (Week 2)

Running back Giovani Bernard jumps over Jonathan Massaquoi of the Atlanta Falcons during the Bengals' 24-10 victory.

Demaryius Thomas (Week 2)

Demaryius Thomas caught five passes for 62 yards and one touchdown in Denver's 24-17 win over Kansas City.

Brian Hoyer (Week 2)

Quarterback Brian Hoyer stood tall in the pocket against New Orleans, helping the Browns to a 26-24 upset.

Michael Floyd (Week 2)

Wide receiver Michael Floyd of the Arizona Cardinals tries to make a catch as cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the New York Giants defends.

Eric Decker (Week 2)

New York Jets' Eric Decker misses a pass in front of Green Bay Packers' Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

Thomas DeCoud (Week 2)

Panthers free safety Thomas DeCoud tries to intercept a pass intended for Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson.

Matthew Stafford (Week 2)

Panthers defenders Dwan Edwards and Mario Addison sack Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Alfred Morris (Week 2)

The Redskins' Alfred Morris rushed for 85 yards against the Jaguars, becoming the fastest Redskins player in history to reach 3,000 rushing yards.

Kenny Stills (Week 2)

New Orleans Saints receiver Kenny Stills reaches for a touchdown against the Browns.

Justin Forsett (Week 2)

Ravens running back Justin Forsett attempts to drive in for a touchdown against the Steelers.

Ravens vs. Steelers (Week 2)

The Ravens and Steelers pile up at the line of scrimmage during their matchup.

Dennis Pitta (Week 2)

Tight end Dennis Pitta catches a ball in traffic in Baltimore's win over Pittsburgh.

Devin McCourty (Week 2)

New England free safety Devin McCourty avoids Minnesota's Phil Loadholt during an interception.

Drew Stanton (Week 3)

Arizona quarterback Drew Stanton goes down during the Cardinals 23-14 win over San Francisco.

Malcom Floyd (Week 3)

Buffalo Bills defensive back Nickell Robey grabs the jersey of San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd.

Corey Graham (Week 3)

Bills cornerback Corey Graham deflects a pass to San Diego Chargers' Malcom Floyd.

Peyton Manning (Week 3)

Peyton Manning faces pressure from the Seahawks defense in the Super Bowl rematch.

Travis Kelce (Week 3)

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce jumps to avoid a tackle by Miami Dolphins cornerback Cortland Finnegan.

Caleb Sturgis (Week 3)

Caleb Sturgis of the Miami Dolphins kicks a third-quarter field goal as A.J. Jenkins of the Kansas City Chiefs unsuccessfully defends.

Andrew Luck (Week 3)

Lions quarterback Andrew Luck tries to escape pressure from Jaguars defensive end Abry Jones.

Alfred Morris (Week 3)

Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebackers Connor Barwin, Casey Matthews and DeMeco Ryans.

Niles Paul (Week 3)

Redskins tight end Niles Paul is brought down by Eagles defensive backs Cary Williams and Malcolm Jenkins.

Eric Weems (Week 3)

Atlanta's Eric Weems is tackled by cornerback Tampa Bay's Leonard Johnson after losing his helmet.

Kendrick Lewis (Week 3)

Kendrick Lewis of the Texans hits Giants tight end Larry Donnell.

Rashad Jennings (Week 3)

The Giants' Rashad Jennings rushed for a career-high 176 yards in the win over the Texans.

Julian Edelman (Week 3)

Wide receiver Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots is tackled by strong safety Usama Young of the Oakland Raiders.

Darren McFadden (Week 3)

Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower breaks up a pass intended for Darren McFadden of the Raiders.

Brian Quick (Week 3)

Rams wide receiver Brian Quick catches a 51-yard pass for a touchdown as Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne defends.

Larry Donnell (Week 4)

Larry Donnell of the New York Giants catches a pass for a touchdown over Bashaud Breeland of the Washington Redskins.

Antonio Brown (Week 4)

Antonio Brown catches his second touchdown to put the Steelers ahead of the Bucs.

Branden Oliver (Week 4)

Pressed into action because of injuries to the Chargers running back corps, Branden Oliver carried the ball nine times for a team-high 23 yards against Jacksonville.

Matt Ryan (Week 4)

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Anthony Barr tackles Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

Michael Crabtree (Week 4)

Michael Crabtree makes a reception in the 49ers' 26-21 win over Philadelphia.

Julio Jones (Week 5)

Atlanta's Julio Jones stretches for a pass thrown by Matt Ryan in a loss to the New York Giants.

Drew Brees (Week 5)

Drew Brees is pressured by William Gholston of Tampa Bay during the Saints overtime victory.

DeMarco Murray (Week 5)

The leagu'e's leading rusher through five weeks, DeMarco Murray tries to break his fall during an overtime win over Houston.

Dez Bryant (Week 5)

Dez Bryant makes a difficult pass reception against Johnathan Joseph of the Houston Texans in overtime to set up the Cowboys' game-winning field goal.

Dan Bailey (Week 5)

The Houston Texans attempt in vain to block the game-winning field goal by Dan Bailey.

Peyton Manning (Week 5)

Peyton Manning celebrates his 500th career touchdown pass with head coach John Fox. He finished the day with four TD passes, moving him to within five of Brett Favre's record 508.

Tom Brady (Week 5)

Tom Brady launches a pass on the night he became the sixth NFL quarterback to surpass 50,000 career passing yards.

- Chris Johnson

Published Oct 15, 2014

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