Tampa Bay’s Cameron Brate re-entered the game despite previously exiting and looking ‘shaken up’

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cameron Brate is the latest NFL player to be concussed this week following the sickening scenes involving Miami Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, on Thursday Night Football. 

Brate was eventually ruled out during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs by the Buccaneers Sunday night.

The 31-year-old exited the game near the end of the second quarter after running into the chest of teammate Chris Godwin rendering himself momentarily motionless.

Brate lay on the turf for several seconds and looked dazed before slowly getting to his feet and trudging off the field in an unconvincing manner. 

NBC play-by-play commentator, Mike Tirico, described Brate as ‘shaken up’ following the incidental blow.

Yet, less than a minute of game time later, Brate was back on the field and tumbled while trying to complete a catch in the end zone. 

Sunday Night Football sideline reporter, Melissa Stark, reported that Brate did exit, and then re-enter the game following an approximate ‘two-minute chat conversation with the [Bucs’] head athletic trainer and team doctor’ before playing on before the quarter’s end. 

Brate was not seen after halftime and was eventually ruled out with a concussion and is now in the concussion protocol. He finished the game with four catches for 32 yards. 

Brate returned to the field moments later before later being ruled out with a concussion injury

Questions will be raised as to why Brate was allowed to enter the field of play after the initial knock, particularly given recent events. 

The NFL and NFLPA issued a joint statement Saturday evening in which they stated changes to the concussion protocol are imminent. 

It comes in the wake of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being taken to hospital with a concussion in Thursday night’s game vs. Cincinnati. 

This followed Tagovailoa surprisingly finishing out the Week 3 win over Buffalo last Sunday, despite receiving a brutal hit in the first half. 

The NFL and NFLPA announced they are working together to modify concussion protocols

Many experts suggested Tagovailoa should not have been playing in the game which ultimately saw him hospitalized.

Tampa Bay struggled without one of their primary weapons, losing to a Patrick Mahomes inspired Kansas City Chiefs team, 41-31.

Prior to the primetime matchup, former New England Patriots star and two-time Super Bowl Champion, Rodney Harrison, issued an impassioned plea to current NFL players. 

Tua Tagovailoa was taken off on a stretcher Thursday after a second recent blow to the head

‘It’s not worth it — and I would implore these young men; don’t go back on that football field if you get hurt,’ Harrison said during NBC’s Football Night in America.

‘I don’t want them to have to feel like me and so many other former players that had to deal with concussions; whether it’s depression, anxiety, paranoia, broken relationships, not being able to communicate with your spouse and things like that.

‘Please take care of yourself. Don’t depend on the NFL, don’t depend on anybody. If there’s something wrong with your head, report it.’ 

Rodney Harrison (R) was visibly emotional when discussing the grave effects of concussion