Three in two seasons.
Eric Reid must be careful to avoid another one, a concussion that is. They're starting to pile up for the San Francisco 49ers starting free safety.
Reid still has to finish the NFL's mandated concussion protocol to be cleared for the team's offseason program. The promising defensive back said he expects to be tested early next week.
"I'll be fine," Reid said on Monday. "I know everyone was worried, but I'm healthy."
Reid said he showed minor symptoms from the head injury he sustained in the first quarter of the team's Week 16 loss to the San Diego Chargers. It happened on a third-down tackle. Reid stayed in the game for a little longer, but when he felt a headache mount, the 49ers safety alerted team doctors and was quickly replaced by Craig Dahl.
Reid was inactive for the team's regular season finale win over the Arizona Cardinals. Dahl started in his place and sealed the game with a fourth-quarter interception.
Although Reid wasn't able to finish the season out with his teammates, he grew tremendously in his second-year. The most notable evidence was Reid's willingness to give pregame speeches to his teammates, a role typically handled by defensive co-captain Joe Staley.
Reid finished the year with 42 tackles, seven pass breakups and three interceptions. He figures to be one of the pillars of the defense for years to come.
Reid called 2014 "a diaspointing season." He, like many of his 49ers teammates, appear motivated to get back to the postseason next year.
"It didn't end the way we wanted it to, but that's just how it goes some times," Reid said. "We can't change it. We've just got to look forward to next year."
Reid said he'll closely monitor the San Francisco's head coaching search.
When asked if he'd lobby for a current assistant coach to be promoted as the franchise's 19th head coach, Reid didn't offer any such fodder.
"That's above my pay grade," he said. "I don't make those decisions. I'll just sit back and anxiously wait to see who they bring in."
CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke addressed the coaching search to the full roster at the team's exit-day meeting. Reid said he liked what he heard.
"They're looking to handle it quickly but make the right decision," the safety said.
For now, Reid's social media posts suggest he's in a good place.
