PITTSBURGH -- Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he takes "offense" at any speculation that the team did not follow NFL concussion protocol Saturday night during a 30-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and tight end Heath Miller each left the game in the fourth quarter following hard hits. Each returned quickly, raising questions about whether the Steelers had taken enough time to properly evaluate each player.
The NFL policy in regard to concussions largely outlines the steps that must be followed after a player has been diagnosed with a concussion. An in-game concussion test is mandated if a player has symptoms of a concussion. The Steelers said neither Roethlisberger nor Miller exhibited symptoms of a concussion before returning to the game.
Tomlin said at his season-ending news conference that neither sustained a concussion in the Steelers' AFC wild-card loss.
"I assure you that proper protocol was followed. That's not how we do business," Tomlin said. "I have no reservations or hesitation in that regard, and really I take offense to the assumption that we would put those guys in harm's way."
Tomlin said he was comfortable playing Roethlisberger and Miller again Saturday night after they were medically cleared to return to the game.
"I have that level of trust in our medical staff," Tomlin said, "not only in terms of their capabilities but their understanding of how we do business."
Roethlisberger said after the game he had sustained a "little whiplash" after getting sacked by Ravens outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw. Roethlisberger said Tuesday on his weekly radio show that he did not sustain a concussion in the loss to the Ravens.