Burris meets doctors about concussion

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, November 4, 2003

CINCINNATI - Jeff Burris will meet with doctors on Tuesday to find out whether his latest concussion will keep him out of the Cincinnati Bengals' lineup.

The 10th-year cornerback suffered a mild concussion Sunday when he tackled a kick returner during the 17-14 loss in Arizona. It was his second concussion in four weeks - he also was knocked unconscious during a game in Buffalo.

Burris had a medical test on Monday and planned to meet with doctors to discuss the ramifications. He's had five concussions in his career, four in the last three years.

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''At this point in my career, I'm enjoying the game,'' he said Monday, after returning from a magnetic resonance imaging test. ''I'm having a good time. I don't even think about (retirement), but obviously there are more serious things that you have to wonder about and be concerned about.''

He was knocked unconscious and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher in Buffalo after ramming fullback Sam Gash. He had neurological tests the next week and was cleared to resume playing.

Burris got another concussion Sunday when he hit Josh Scobey on a second-quarter kickoff return, forcing him to the sideline.

''When I came up and hit the kickoff returner, I felt an excruciating pain coming out of my temple,'' Burris said. ''It was a sharp, sharp pain, like nothing I've felt before.''

He felt better on Monday after getting a lot of sleep.

''It actually turned into a full headache yesterday,'' he said. ''I slept the whole way back on the plane flight, got some good rest last night, and woke up at 11 o'clock this morning well-rested.''

Coach Marvin Lewis is concerned about Burris. The Bengals will wait until he sees doctors on Tuesday before deciding whether he'll be available to play against Houston.