Bears DB Jaquan Brisker in concussion protocol after leaving Falcons game twice

Despite having to leave Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons twice to get evaluated for a head injury, Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker finished the game and played 53 of the team’s 55 defensive snaps.

Now, the rookie defensive back’s status for Chicago’s Week 12 matchup with the New York Jets is uncertain after missing practice on Wednesday while in concussion protocol.

Brisker was not officially diagnosed with a concussion until the following day, per Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.

The 23-year-old safety was shaken up on Atlanta’s first drive after tackling quarterback Marcus Mariota, and again in the third quarter after making a stop on running back Cordarelle Patterson. Brisker appeared to hit his head both times but returned the next play after being evaluated.

The NFL and NFL Players Association modified the league’s concussion protocol in early October to allow team officials to keep players from returning to play after showing an “abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech.”

The changes were necessitated after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to play after suffering a big hit against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 that left him noticeably unsteady.

Despite exiting the game twice, Brisker had perhaps his best game of the year against the Falcons. He allowed one reception for two yards on 23 coverage snaps with 11 total tackles and a forced fumble.