Garcia, Owens return after concussions

Updated: September 18, 2003, 11:10 PM ET

A week after the controversy regarding Rams QB Kurt Warner, the 49ers had concussion concerns with Jeff Garcia and Terrell Owens.

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By John Clayton
ESPN.com
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The debate about whether or not Kurt Warner should have played last week with a concussion lingers on and won't go away.

On Sunday in St. Louis, it even affected the San Francisco 49ers. Wide receiver Terrell Owens and quarterback Jeff Garcia each sustained concussions in the first half. Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson was hit so hard by linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa that his helmet bounced 10 yards downfield. Wilson underwent tests for a concussion, but the results were negative.

"The Rams were bringing the heat," Garcia said. "They were hitting and trying to force the paint."


	Garcia

The interesting aspect about what happened to Owens and Garcia is how the doctors along the sideline handled the situation. Garcia was hit in the head during the third possession of the game. He was sacked by defensive end Leonard Little and while he was on the ground, his head was jarred. He stayed on the field for a third-down play -- a 7-yard run by Kevan Barlow -- but he was woozy.

Doctors immediately started giving him a test for a concussion. He passed by answering all the questions, but doctors wouldn't let him back onto the field for the next series. Garcia was furious as he watched Tim Rattay run his offense while he felt he was healthy.

"It was more the doctors being extra cautious than me trying to sit out," Garcia said. "I was disappointed when they pulled me for that series. I understand the position by the doctors. They weren't in the position to put my health in jeopardy."

Garcia wanted to return and he finally convinced everyone to put him back in for the second quarter. He finished the game and played well, competing 19 of 35 for 222 yards and two touchdowns.

"If the doctor says he can go back in, he can go back in," coach Dennis Erickson said.

What was more of a shock was seeing Owens return a couple series after taking a helmet hit from safety Aeneas Williams. Owens stayed motionless on the turf, but after being treated by trainers, he bounced back to his feet. Along the sideline, he took test from doctors. The injury happened during the first possession of the game.

Owens missed one series and was back, but he looked a little lost when the first pass to him was dropped badly.

After that drop, Owens didn't have a problem. He finished with five catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.

Still, the debate is when a player suffers a concussion -- even if it's mild -- should he be allowed to play? Owens and Garcia vote yes.

"I think there is a combination of things involved," Garcia said. "Obviously, we've had our own situations with Steve Young. You have the Kurt Warner thing from last week. Yes, the doctors are going to have some cautiousness out there as far as how to look at potential concussions or what have you. Decisions are going to be made more on the conservative side to keep players out the game."

Players like Garcia aren't going to like it.

John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.