APNewsBreak: Chairs of NFL Concussion Panel Resign

Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a wide-ranging memo about concussions to NFL teams Tuesday, saying the co-chairmen of the league's committee on brain injuries have resigned and that he is examining potential rule changes "to reduce head impacts."

A copy of the memo was obtained by The Associated Press before the league issued a press release about its contents.

Goodell wrote that Dr. Ira Casson and Dr. David Viano, who have led the league committee on concussions since 2007, "have graciously offered to resign from those positions and to continue to assist the committee in its important work. We have accepted those resignations and are currently identifying their replacements."

Goodell said he wants to add new members "who will bring to the committee independent sources of expertise and experience in the field of head injuries."

Casson has come under attack recently from the NFL Players Association and members of Congress for criticizing independent and league-sponsored studies linking NFL careers with heightened risk for dementia and cognitive decline.

A message was left for Casson at his office.

"This is a step in the right direction," NFLPA assistant executive director George Atallah wrote in an e-mail to the AP. "We look forward to working with the league to formalize their announcements."

Goodell also said he met Monday with competition committee co-chair Rich McKay to review specific types of plays with an eye to evaluating possible rules changes "to reduce head impacts and related injuries in a game setting."

Among the other points addressed in the memo, which was addressed to chief executives, club presidents, general managers, head coaches, team physicians and head athletic trainers:

—Goodell wrote the NFL will "continue to invest in research designed to improve equipment safety, and we will urge players to make informed choices regarding the use of the most technologically advanced helmets."