The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has condemned the Kansas City Chiefs' medical staff for their alleged mishandling of Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Kyle Van Noy's fractured orbital bone injury in Week 1.
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has expressed its disapproval of the Kansas City Chiefs' medical staff following an incident involving Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Kyle Van Noy. The veteran defender sustained a fractured orbital bone during the NFL's season opener at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, leading him to criticize the Chiefs' ophthalmologist for allegedly taking an extended period to attend to his injury.
Van Noy's frustration was evident on his "McCoy and Van Noy podcast," where he stated, "I was disappointed in the way the training staff of the Chiefs handled the situation. You get hurt – especially something that could be serious like mine was – you’re supposed to rely on the team’s training staff and their doctors."
NFLPA Criticizes Chiefs Medical Staff for 'Unprofessional' Handling of Kyle Van Noy Injury
In response, NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell visited the Ravens to meet with Van Noy and assess the situation. Howell characterized the incident as "unfortunate" and emphasized the need for expeditious treatment of injured away team players. "I think this was an unfortunate situation where that did not occur," Howell said, as reported by ESPN. "Thank God for Kyle's situation [that] it wasn't worse. But here we are with the first game of the season; we got many more games to play. We just can't have that."
Howell further disclosed that the NFLPA had conducted its own investigation and had "made the necessary parties aware of how we’ve got to improve." The Chiefs' training staff has faced criticism in the past, earning an "F" in the league's annual player surveys.
NFLPA Criticizes Chiefs Medical Staff for 'Unprofessional' Handling of Kyle Van Noy Injury
Under the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and NFLPA, treatment for injured away team players is expected to be swift. Van Noy's injury highlighted concerns about the Chiefs' ability to meet this obligation.
The Chiefs' medical staff has a history of facing scrutiny. In recent league surveys, Kansas City players have expressed dissatisfaction with their training staff, which ranked last in the league. The Chiefs' poor player ratings were attributed to various factors, including perceived inadequacies in injury prevention, treatment, and communication.
NFLPA Criticizes Chiefs Medical Staff for 'Unprofessional' Handling of Kyle Van Noy Injury
The NFLPA's criticism of the Chiefs' medical staff serves as a reminder of the importance of timely and professional medical care for NFL players. The league and its players' union must continue to work collaboratively to ensure that all injured players receive the necessary attention and support.
It remains to be seen whether Van Noy, who is currently on the injury report with an eye injury, will be available for the Ravens in Week 2 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The NFLPA and the Ravens will likely monitor the situation closely and seek assurances from the Chiefs that appropriate measures are being taken to address the concerns raised by Van Noy.
