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BOSTON -- Two players violated league concussion protocol during last weekends wild-card games, according to a letter sent by the NFLs head, neck and spine committee chairmen to all team doctors and trainers. Sean Lee Cowboys Jersey . In a document obtained by The Associated Press, Drs. Hunt Batjer and Richard Ellenbogen said one player re-entered the game and another refused to leave the sideline. The doctors did not identify the players, but one was Green Bay tackle David Bakhtiari, who went into the game for an extra-point try despite being examined for a concussion and not cleared. The other player was Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis, who remained on the sideline but did not get back on the field. "On two occasions last weekend, and contrary to the advice of the team medical staffs, players who had been diagnosed with a concussion and therefore declared ineligible for play nonetheless refused to leave the sidelines as required by league concussion protocols," the letter said. "In one case, the player went back onto the field for one play before being removed from the game." The doctors found "no fault" in how the team medical staffs conducted themselves. "If a player refuses to follow your advice and leave the sidelines after being diagnosed with a concussion, we recommend that the head athletic trainer seek assistance from the players position coach (or another member of the coaching staff) or from another team official to remove the player from the sidelines as soon as possible," the letter said. The NFLs Madden Rule requires a player diagnosed with a concussion to be taken to the locker room or another quiet location. "We will continue working with the league to ensure that team doctors, coaches, trainers and other members of a teams medical staff enforce return-to-participation protocols," the NFL Players Association said in an email. "Players naturally want to play and ultimately, the game-day medical and coaching staffs have the responsibility and obligation for player protection and care." The Saints and Packers declined comment. No fines will be imposed for the violations. Bakhtiaris season is over because Green Bay lost to San Francisco. But Lewis Saints are playing Saturday at Seattle and he has been practicing. Batjer and Ellenbogen noted in the letter how players may resist being kept out of the game, particularly during the post-season. "But (the rule) is an important element of the leagues protocol and intended to safeguard the players well-being and enhance his ability to recover from his injury," they wrote. Matt Cassel Cowboys Jersey . Even for a team such as this, finishing off another title sweep is a feel-good accomplishment. Sam Dower Jr. had 20 points and 13 rebounds, and Gonzaga held its ground during a second-half rally to beat BYU 75-64 Tuesday night for its 13th WCC championship. Danny McCray Cowboys Jersey .E.I. - Despite plenty of team restructuring on the Canadian mens curling scene in recent weeks, Team Jennifer Jones is vowing to remain intact for another four years.MANCHESTER, England - The Manchester derby was a fixture that filled the blue half of the city with dread during Uniteds glory years under Alex Ferguson.Now, its United fans who are starting to fear the worst when one of English footballs biggest matches comes around.City is looking for a sixth win in its last seven Premier League games against United when the fierce rivals meet at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. City beat United 4-1 and 3-0 last season and dished out Uniteds heaviest ever Premier League loss in 2011, a 6-1 thrashing at Old Trafford.Its a very different story to the period from 1990-2001, when United never lost to City as Ferguson laid the foundations of his trophy-winning empire.Both teams need a win to keep on the tail of undefeated leader Chelsea, which holds a four-point lead over second-place Southampton and also plays in a derby — against west London rival QPR on Saturday.City, six points behind Chelsea in third, is going through a poor run of form that continued with a surprise loss to Newcastle in the League Cup on Wednesday. United is in eighth place, 10 points off Chelsea, as it continues a rebuilding job under Louis van Gaal.Here are some things to know about this weekends games in England:___ROONEY RETURN?After serving his three-match ban for kicking an opponent, Wayne Rooney was due to be back for United this weekend.However, there is a doubt surrounding the England strikers fitness after he was seen apparently limping at a promotional event at Old Trafford on Monday. United hasnt officially given an update on Rooneys condition.Fellow striker Radamel Falcao could also be back for United after missing the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Sunday because he was hurt in training three days earlier.If Rooney and Falcao are declared fit, they could join a three-man frontline with Robin van Persie that was last fielded by Van Gaal in the 2-1 win over West Ham on Sept. 27.Rooney is the record scorer in Manchester derbies with 11 goals.___SILVA WORRYAs if no wins in three matches wasnt enough of a concern for City manager Manuel Pellegrini, he also saw playmaker David Silva limp off against Newcastle with a twisted knee.The absence of Silva would be a major blow for City, with the Spain international one of the teams best players in its inauspicious start to the season.Fellow playmaker Samir Nasri returned against Newcastle after six weeks out but isnt up to full speed. City will rely heavily on Sergio Aguero, the Premier Leagues joint top scorer, for goals.___NO DefencceFor all of the attacking might on show on Sunday, there will be just as much scrutiny on defences that have kept just two clean sheets each this campaign. Charles Haley Cowboys Jersey. City manager Manuel Pellegrini focused on strengthening his defence in the off-season by signing right back Bacary Sagna on a free transfer and centre back Eliaquim Mangala for 32 million pounds (then $54 million), as well as a defensive midfielder in Fernando.But Pellegrini has not yet settled on a regular back four as he integrates his new signings and Mangala, English footballs most expensive defender, is struggling to adapt.Van Gaal has had to contend with a slew of defensive injuries that saw him first try a three-man defence and then revert to four at the back. He hasnt fielded the same defence two matches running and Phil Jones is now sidelined with shin splints.While Uniteds attack looks strong, the defence remains a work in progress. It means there shouldnt be a shortage of goals at the Etihad.___DROGBA ON A ROLLDiego Costa isnt the only inspired signing in Chelseas attack for this season.Didier Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge for a second spell at the club and faced a tough task reproducing his exploits for Chelsea from 2004-12, when he scored 157 goals in 342 appearances and was always the man for the big occasion. But he hasnt lost his eye for goal.Filling in while Costa and Loic Remy were injured, the 36-year-old Drogba scored in each of the last three games — against Maribor in the Champions League, United in the league and Shrewsbury in the League Cup. He also played the full 90 minutes against United and Shrewsbury, despite the games being only two days apart.If I was a kid player and I played with this guy on my side, what more could I wish for? Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said.Costa may be fit after illness and injury for the QPR game, however, and would surely be selected over Drogba.___SURPRISING SOUTHAMPTONJust like last season, Southampton has made a strong start to the Premier League. The question is: Can they keep it up this time?Ronald Koemans side is the nearest challenger to Chelsea after nine games and is looking for its sixth win in seven league matches when it visits Hull on Saturday. Not bad for a team which was ripped apart in the summer, when many of its top players like Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw left.Also Saturday, Liverpool travels to Newcastle and Arsenal hosts last-place Burnley, the only team without a win in all of Englands four leagues. Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys ' ' '

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