NFL to take action on uptick in player concussions

The number of concussions in the NFL went up 16 percent between the past two seasons.

There were 291 diagnosed concussions in 2017 compared with 250 in 2016. Dr. Allen Sills, the league's chief medical officer, says the increase is likely due in part to the 50 additional players who self-reported head injuries.

Still, the NFL's Head, Neck and Spine Committee outlined a three-part plan to limit the number of concussions suffered by players. It includes safer helmets, emphasizing warning signs to individual teams and crafting new safety rules.

Brain health in the NFL has been in the spotlight in recent years. A 2017 study diagnosed the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, in 110 out of 111 former professional football players.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.