Concussion

A sophomore linebacker for the Villanova football team was treated at Pennsylvania Hospital and released after suffering a concussion during practice yesterday, a spokesman for the university's athletic department said. Anthony Johnson of Atlanta was flown by helicopter to the hospital as a precaution after complaining of a headache and nausea in the locker room following practice, the Villanova spokesman said. Johnson was released after being evaluated.

Steve Young will miss at least a week and possibly more because of his latest concussion, though tests showed no signs of more serious brain trauma, the agent for the San Francisco 49ers quarterback said yesterday. Young took a frightening hit midway through Monday night's victory at Arizona and left with his fourth concussion since 1996. He underwent an MRI yesterday and then met with Dr. Gary Steinberg, the chief neurologist at Stanford Hospital, who treated Young when he suffered his last concussion two years ago. "The MRI did not show any of the so-called white spots, which are thought to be indicative of progressive brain trauma," said agent Leigh Steinberg, who is not related to the neurologist.

Eastern wrestler Anthony Baldosaro suffered a concussion in his bout against Camden Catholic's Taylor Walsh on Friday night, according to Vikings' coach Wayne Murschell Jr. Baldosaro, a two-time state champion, lost the bout by injury default. Walsh, who also won a state title last season, was ahead by a 3-0 score when the 145-pound match was stopped with 55 seconds remaining in the third period. Baldosaro lay on the mat for around 30 minutes. He was fitted with a neck collar and taken by ambulance to Cooper Hospital.

As if losing Eric Lindros for the playoffs wasn't enough, it now appears the Flyers may have lost Mark Recchi as well. Recchi suffered a possible concussion late in the second period of last night's 2-2 tie against Buffalo. "Right now, they think it's a concussion," a grim Flyers coach Roger Neilson said late last night. "He'll be checked out [today]. " This would be the third concussion for the Flyers right wing. More significantly, it would be his second since March 22, when he was injured in Toronto in a collision with Danil Markov along the boards.

Eric Lindros suffered the eighth concussion of his NHL career last night in the New York Rangers' 2-1 loss to the visiting Washington Capitals. Lindros took a hard hit along the boards from defenseman Jason Doig in the second period. On his next shift, Lindros took the faceoff and immediately dropped his gloves and stick and went after Doig. Lindros, who did not return for the third period, was unavailable for comment after the game. "We've spoken to the doctor, [concussion specialist]

The New York Rangers announced that goalie Mike Richter is out for the season because of a concussion and acquired goalie Mike Dunham to replace him yesterday. Richter was kneed in the head against Edmonton on Nov. 5. "I anticipated getting better from the moment I got hit," said the 36-year-old from Flourtown, Pa. "I didn't even expect to miss a practice. " Dunham was sent by Nashville for forward Rem Murray, defenseman Tomas Kloucek and the rights to defenseman Marek Zidlicky.

Milwaukee Brewers rightfielder Geoff Jenkins suffered a mild concussion yesterday after colliding with first baseman Prince Fielder as they pursued a foul ball. Jenkins is listed as day-to-day. Both players were going after a foul pop by Brendan Harris in the fourth inning of an 8-4 loss to the Washington Nationals, and the 260-pounder Fielder never saw Jenkins as the rightfielder plowed into him. "I'm a little woozy," Jenkins said. "It's just one of those freak plays.

Andy Reid still hasn't mentioned the word concussion when talking about offensive tackle Jason Peters. "He has a shoulder contusion and a potential stinger, dinger, I'm not sure exactly what category it goes in, but that's what we're having tested right now," the Eagles' coach said yesterday. "He's doing well. That's the positive side. " Peters left Sunday's 34-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons early in the second quarter after landing awkwardly at the completion of a chop block.

St. Louis Blues left wing Geoff Courtnall, unable to shake the effects of post-concussion syndrome after a monthlong layoff, retired yesterday. Surrounded by family and teammates at a somber news conference, Courtnall, 37, broke down and cried. "I'd like to thank all the guys for showing up, and I hope you guys win the Stanley Cup this year," Courtnall said, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'll miss you guys. " Several teammates also wept during the news conference.

Atlanta Thrashers center Patrik Stefan was hospitalized after suffering a concussion in last night's 6-0 loss to the visiting Montreal Canadiens. Stefan, whose status entering the 1999 draft was questionable because of a pair of serious concussions, was injured early in the first period. He was carrying the puck out of his own zone when he was undercut by Montreal's P.J. Stock. Stefan tried to avoid a collision, but fell over Stock and struck his head on the ice. Stefan was motionless on the ice for several minutes before his head and neck were immobilized and he was taken off on a stretcher.

With each passing day, the list of plaintiffs filing concussion lawsuits against the NFL grows. At last check, more than 2,100 former players have filed suit against the league in 74 separate lawsuits, most of which have been consolidated in federal court in Philadelphia. By the end of the summer, the number of plaintiffs could exceed 3,000. The list of plaintiffs includes Hall of Famers like Lem Barney and Joe DeLamielleure and Rickey Jackson and Paul Krause, and Super Bowl MVPs like Mark Rypien and Dexter Jackson.

Casey Biddle, a 15-year-old sophomore at Twin Valley High School in Chester County, can't wait to get back on the soccer field next fall. Never mind the constant headaches, the struggles with her memory, and the two naps a day she takes in the nurse's office - all after suffering as many as three concussions and whiplash playing soccer since August. And it doesn't matter that her mother, Angela, sometimes looks in her eyes and sees "a blankness, there's no emotion anymore.

Kyle Turris scored at 2 minutes, 42 of overtime to give the Ottawa Senators a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Wednesday night, tying the Eastern Conference series at two games apiece. Milan Michalek and Sergei Gonchar scored in the second period for the Senators to erase a 2-0 deficit, and Craig Anderson made 31 saves. Anton Stralman and Ryan Callahan had power-plays goals early in the first period for the Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist made 28 saves.   Torres suspended The NHL suspended Phoenix Coyotes forward Raffi Torres indefinitely Wednesday for knocking Chicago's Marian Hossa out of the game - and maybe the playoffs - with a shoulder blow to the head.

Maybe the concussions are starting to explain themselves. That was one possible conclusion from listening to the Flyers after Sunday's anarchic Game 3 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. From veterans Danny Briere and Claude Giroux to rookies Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier, the general reaction was a big shrug. That's hockey, that's the playoffs, no big deal. Except that Briere, Giroux, and Schenn all missed time with concussion issues during the regular season. Couturier was out after taking a puck on the side of his head.

EVEN WHEN THERE was evidence of it within the walls of his own house, Ray Shero did not immediately perceive that his son, Chris, had a concussion. That is how hard it is for the average person to detect them, and why the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager has been especially cautious with his superstar, Sidney Crosby, who has battled symptoms of concussions for the better part of two seasons. It happened within just a few weeks after Crosby suffered concussive head blows in games against Washington and Tampa Bay in January 2011, which sidelined him through the Stanley Cup playoffs and caused him to miss significant parts of this season.

Playing at home, the Detroit Red Wings scored four goals in the first 10 minutes then cruised to 7-2 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets Monday night. They had a 6-0 cushion midway through the second period and a seven-goal lead early in the third. Tomas Holmstrom scored two goals as Detroit earned a postseason berth for a team-record 21st consecutive year, and broke its team record of 20 straight years of reaching the playoffs set from 1939-58. Columbus is in last place in the NHL with 55 points.

KOBE BRYANT has a concussion in addition to the broken nose he sustained in the All-Star Game. Bryant saw a neurologist yesterday, and he diagnosed the concussion. The All-Star guard will see Dr. Vern Williams again today; his status for tonight's home game against Minnesota is day-to-day. Bryant was injured during Sunday night's game in Orlando. He was knocked to the floor by Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, who said that he has apologized to Bryant for breaking his nose. The first of those apologies, Wade said, came during the game when he saw Bryant's face had been bloodied.

When the Flyers face struggling Ville Leino and the offensively challenged Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, they still will be without James van Riemsdyk. But the 22-year-old Flyers left winger appears to be making strides in his comeback from a concussion. Sidelined for more than a month, van Riemsdyk wore a regular jersey - meaning he was able to absorb contact - and spent time on the top line during Wednesday's practice in Voorhees. He replaced the flu-ridden Jaromir Jagr on a line with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.

No one is immune from slumps. Not rookies (see Matt Read and Sean Couturier). Not veterans (see Danny Briere and Jaromir Jagr). Unfortunately for the Flyers, many have come at the same time, contributing to their nine losses in their last 14 games. Briere hasn't scored a goal in 11 games, while Jagr has one goal in his last 16 contests. Both have struggled after returning from injuries - Briere had a concussion, Jagr a groin strain. Jagr also revealed on that he has been battling the flu for several days.

Before the rules that made kickoffs safer, before NFL guidelines about sitting players who have suffered concussions, before defenseless receiver became a part of the Sunday conversation, offensive lineman Mike Schad remembers getting knocked unconscious while blocking as part of the wedge for the Los Angeles Rams' kick-return team. "Before they made all those changes I got ear-holed," said Schad, who would go on to play with the Eagles from 1989 to 1993. "Next thing you know, I'm sitting on the sideline.