National Football League

Shurmur defends McCoy decision

Published Dec. 9, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Browns coach Pat Shurmur defended his team's handling of quarterback Colt McCoy's head injury in a loss to Pittsburgh.

McCoy sustained a concussion from a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit from Steelers linebacker James Harrison in the fourth quarter Thursday. McCoy stayed out for two plays before coming back in and throwing an interception. Shurmur said McCoy didn't show any symptoms of a concussion until after the game.

Shurmur is confident the Browns' medical staff followed the NFL's guidelines on head injuries when they assessed McCoy on the sideline. McCoy told Shurmur "he was ready to go" before going back in. Shurmur was adamant that if McCoy had been symptomatic "he would not have gone back in the game - absolutely not."