Michigan AD: Morris' injury not handled properly

Sep 30, 2014 - 12:09 PM Ann Arbor, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon issued a statement early Tuesday morning regarding quarterback Shane Morris' injury status and how it was handled on the sideline during Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Brandon said it appeared Morris did suffer a probable mild concussion in the fourth quarter of the loss to the Gophers and returned to the contest.

Morris, who had sustained an ankle injury earlier in the game, took a hit from Minnesota's Theiren Cockran and stumbled. The medical training staff did not see the hit and believed the stumble might have resulted from the ankle injury.

"Shane came off the field after the following play and was reassessed by the head athletic trainer for the ankle injury," said Brandon. "Since the athletic trainer had not seen the hit to the chin and was not aware that a neurological evaluation was necessary, he cleared Shane for one additional play."

Brandon said the team neurologist was further down the sideline and was making his way toward the coaches and players to evaluate Morris.

"The neurologist and other team physicians were not aware that Shane was being asked to return to the field, and Shane left the bench when he heard his name called and went back into the game," Brandon said. "Under these circumstances, a player should not be allowed to re-enter the game before being cleared by the team physician. This clearly identifies the need for improvements in our sideline and communications processes."

Brandon said Morris was eventually diagnosed with a probable mild concussion and a high ankle sprain, but that the concussion was not clearly evident on the field Saturday or immediately after the game. Morris was evaluated twice since Saturday and Brandon said coach Brady Hoke was not made aware of the updated diagnosis before his press conference on Monday.

Hoke, on Monday, said he knew Morris had an ankle injury, but had not been told of a possible concussion.

Brandon said in the statement that the school will now have a medical staff member in the press box or video booth to ensure better communication with trainers and doctors on the sideline.