Whether the NFL cares to admit it or not, a whole new can of worms was opened last week and it could have huge ramifications down the road.

This one involves current players and their ability to sue the NFL for disability payments in the future.

Last week, more than two dozen players — including former Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis and Green Bay Packers running back Dorsey Levens — filed a lawsuit over long-term brain damage these players believed are linked to concussions.

While the NFL would only have itself to blame over injuries such as concussions in the past — most teams were at their own discretion in how they dealt with concussions.

But since last season’s rash of helmet-to-helmet hits led to heavy fines by the league and in some cases — Pittsburgh Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison — a suspension, teams have been held more accountable in how they deal with injuries, particularly concussions.

Players that have suffered a head injury must be cleared after a battery of tests during the week and must stay out until they are deemed clear of the concussion.

That said, what Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew said last week raises some serious questions the league will need to understand.

He told The Associated Press he would hide a possible head injury so he could stay in the game.

“I’ve had concussions before, and it wasn’t this big deal about concussions,” Jones-Drew said. “The only reason they’re making a big deal about concussions right now is because the league is getting sued over it. Before this, you never heard about it. A couple of years ago, you didn’t hear anything about it.”

Jones-Drew raises an interesting point, but if players are covering up concussions to get back onto the field, can a player then sue its employers — in this case, the NFL — for hiding that injury?

Can you hide it, then sue down the road when you start having problems and need someone to pay the bills?

The AP also did a survey with 44 NFL players and one question asked was whether or not you hide the injury or leave. Twenty-three players would hide the injury while 21 would leave the game.

That the number is close to 50-50 says a lot about players realizing concussions are serious and would miss some time.

The idea of the rugged, tough football player who would never leave the game due to injury may be falling by the wayside, but it still has a long way to go.

Any helmet-to-helmet hit should require both players off the field to be checked and any player requiring attention on the field and need help to leave should be done for the game.

The league is beginning to do all it can to help players with concussions. It’s up to the players to do the same.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.