Doctor Talks About Flacco's Recovery, Former Teammates React To Hit

An area sports medicine doctor says headaches after exercising will be a signal that Joe Flacco has recovered from the head injury he suffered Thursday night.

In the midst of one of his best performances of the season Thursday night, the Ravens’ quarterback was struck in the helmet by Miami linebacker Kiko Alonso while sliding at the end of an impromptu run. Flacco’s helmet flew off his head, and the 10-year quarterback appeared dazed as he struggled to his feet.

The play occurred with 3 minutes left in the second quarter. Alonso was flagged for unnecessary roughness.

Flacco left the game and underwent a concussion protocol.

Crutchfield tells WBAL NewsRadio 1090 the next step in Flacco’s recovery is exercising again to see if he gets headaches.

“When the brain gets injured, it responds metabolically, by increasing blood flow, and there’s a lot of inflammation surrounding the brain, and when you increase blood flow it causes headaches and discomfort,” Crutchfield told WBAL NewsRadio 1090.

“So one of the ways to determine if the player is recovering, meaning the brain injury is resolving and the inflammation is coming down inside the head, is to exercise them, and see if they can get headaches.”

Crutchfield, who is not part of the Ravens medical team, said recovery time from an injury like Flacco’s depends on the athlete.

Former Ravens Todd Heap and Jarret Johnson weighted in on the hit with 98 Rock, WBAL NewsRadio 1090's sister station.

"You gotta pull off, you gotta avoid that," Johnson said of Alonso. "You have to anticipate him sliding. You have to."

Todd Heap said in failing to eject Alonso, the referees failed to offer a deterrent for a violent hit on a quarterback, and suggested Alonso got off easy because his target was Flacco and not a more renowned quarterback like Tom Brady.

"For a 15-yard penalty, I'd go ahead and take the quarterback's head off too for a 15-yard penalty and no repercussions," Heap said.

Also chiming in? C4, in his regular chat with Bill Vanko.

The team is not saying how long Flacco might be out of practice or off the playing field. Following the Ravens' 40-0 victory over the Dolphins, the team won’t play again until a week from Sunday against Tennessee, with a bye week to follow. Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com said an independent neurologist will work with team doctors to decide when and how Flacco can resume football activities.

As for Alonso, he could face discipline, most likely a hefty fine but possibly a one-game suspension as well.