Concussion

There was only one brief moment when it appeared that Torrey Smith's decision to play might backfire. After catching a 43-yard pass from quarterback Joe Flacco and getting his helmet yanked back by New York Giants cornerback Corey Webster more than midway through the first quarter, the wide receiver - who suffered a concussion in the Ravens' game against the Denver Broncos last week - looked woozy and unsteady on his feet. But the alarm was fleeting, and Smith said he never considered leaving the contest and standing on the sideline for an extended period of time.

Blast veteran forward Mark Thomas, who missed Saturday's 16-7 loss at Cleveland with a concussion, remains questionable for this weekend. Yesterday, coach Kevin Healey said Thomas - hurt in the second half of Friday's home win against Milwaukee - was still experiencing headaches, and the team will know more by tomorrow about his availability. The Blast travels to Wichita on Friday and returns home Saturday to play Harrisburg. Against Cleveland, newcomer Jeff Clarke, a 23-year-old defender picked up in the re-entry draft when the Edmonton franchise folded, played his first game in a Blast uniform.

North Carolina senior midfielder Davey Emala (Gilman) and Maryland sophomore attackman Jay Carlson (St. Paul's) were named Atlantic Coast Conference men's lacrosse Co-Offensive Players of the Week, as announced Tuesday by the conference, while Terps goalkeeper Niko Amato was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Week. Emala scored on all three of his shots and had one caused turnover in North Carolina's 11-10 overtime win over then-No. 12 Johns Hopkins on Saturday.

Sarah Ellenberger still goes to all her high school team's soccer games. She just doesn't play anymore. The Annapolis 15-year-old has been sidelined permanently after suffering two concussions within a week - the second of which left her in a heap on the field after she routinely hit a ball with her head, unable to remember her birthday, the day of the week or what had happened to land her in the emergency room. The Ellenbergers didn't realize at first how serious Sarah's head injury could have been.

If the NFL is feeling pressure about facing hundreds of concussion-related lawsuits now, Troy Polamalu's startling admission Wednesday might have league officials feeling even more stressed about what the future holds. In a radio interview with Dan Patrick, the Pittsburgh Steeler's hard-hitting safety copped to having suffered at least eight or nine concussions during his career. And he added he expected the number to be higher by the time he retires. He also told Patrick that he had lied about having a concussion in order to get back into a game.

Fall sports ,like football, lacrosse, and soccer, bring risk of concussion injuries to Maryland students. Recent media attention has been brought to the increasing number of concussions being treated at emergency departments across the country. New research is pointing to the risk of permanent brain injury for children with concussions. It is important players, parents, trainers, game officials, and coaches know what to look for and how to treat a child with a concussion. Coaches and athletic trainers must especially keep informed of the latest developments in post concussion treatment as o-going research is changing how the "game is played.

The number 2-9 -- Packers' record in past 11 games at Metrodome. The quote "You look at a guy who has busted his tail for 10 years to get into this position (and) for him to get hurt, it is tough." Steelers' Lee Flowers, on QB Tommy Maddox, who suffered a concussion and spinal cord contusion in loss to Titans.

New TNA women's champion Angelina Love confirmed on her MySpace account that she suffered a concussion during the cage match at the Lockdown pay-per-view Sunday. (For more, go to baltimoresun.com/ringposts)

Opponent: New York IslandersSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 7:30TV/Radio: HTS/WTEM (570 AM)Outlook: After this game, the Caps will hit the road for a three-game western swing. The Islanders beat Buffalo, 5-4, in overtime Tuesday to end a five-game losing streak. The victory came with G Eric Fichaud making his NHL debut. The Islanders are expected to use G Tommy Soderstrom (8-11-6, 3.56 goals-against average) tonight. Caps will be without D Brendan Witt (broken wrist). Islanders RW Brett Lindros (concussion)

I realize in the NFL, when it comes to quarterbacks, never say never. Exhibit A -- Vinny Testaverde's comeback last year at age 44. Exhibit B -- David Carr signing with the New York Giants this week after failing to hold a job in Carolina, where the main competition was an undrafted free agent signed off waivers named Matt Moore.