Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger wasn't the only quarterback to show some toughness in Thursday night's Browns-Steelers game.
Cleveland's Colt McCoy re-entered the game after being knocked cold by Steelers linebacker James Harrison on a helmet-to-helmet hit with just under six minutes left in the game.
Whether McCoy should have been so hasty to come back in, considering the league's new concussion protocol, is another matter.
"He was fine to go back in," coach Pat Shurmur said, according to the Plain Dealer.
"Honestly, I don't remember (the hit)," McCoy told the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram. He returned after two plays and threw an interception to the Steelers' William Gay in the end zone that all but ended Cleveland's hopes of victory.
For Harrison, it was another high-profile helmet-to-helmet hit. Last season the outspoken linebacker was fined $75,000 for a hit on Browns wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi, and Pittsburgh was penalized 15 yards for his hit on McCoy Thursday.
After the game, Harrison said he thought the hit was legal.
"From what I understand, once the quarterback leaves the pocket, he's considered a runner," Harrison said. "All the defenseless(ness) and liberties that a quarterback has in the pocket are gone and you can tackle him just as he's a running back. The hit wasn't late, so I really don't understand why it was called."
