EAGAN, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans awoke on the morning of Oct. 9 amid an NFL firestorm. The league was dealing with the fallout of a frightening series of injuries to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, one that had triggered changes to its concussion protocol and renewed questions about its commitment to protecting player health.
On that day, Evans began a far less publicized -- but no less concerning -- ordeal of his own. He entered the concussion protocol late in the Vikings' 29-22 victory over the Chicago Bears, the first of three separate trips during an eight-week period.