Raiders CB David Amerson not alarmed by recent concussions
ALAMEDA, Calif. — David Amerson knows it doesn’t sound good.
He suffered a concussion Sunday. Another one. He had one in August. He had one early last season. In all, he’s been diagnosed with the brain injury three times in less than 13 months after having suffered one in 2013 as a rookie with the Washington Redskins.
He downplayed the sequence.
“I don’t think it’s as serious as people think it is or the numbers (suggest),” Amerson said Friday. “I ain’t even that worried about it.”
The Raiders cornerback has cleared the NFL’s return-to-play concussion protocol. He exited Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos after colliding helmets with tight end A.J. Derby on a first-quarter tackle. Amerson was a limited participant throughout the practice week and was deemed “questionable” to play Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens.
To Amerson, his symptoms don’t warrant concern.
He has yet to miss a game to the injury. His other recent concussions came Aug. 26 in an exhibition versus the Dallas Cowboys and Sept. 18, 2016, against the Atlanta Falcons.
“I’ve been fortunate enough not to have the migraines or the headaches or anything like that,” Amerson said. “Sensitivity to light, stuff like that, I’ve been fortunate to (not) have any of the strong symptoms, so I’ve always been able to just bounce back. … If it’s serious to where I’m experiencing some of those crazy symptoms or something like that, that’s one thing. I haven’t — knock on wood. So I don’t even think about that, for real.”
Should he begin to deal with concussions that feature severe symptoms, Amerson added that he’ll re-evaluate the situation. His father is a neuropsychologist who could serve as a potential resource.
“If it gets to that point, that decision will be made,” Amerson said. “I don’t see that right now.”
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