Today’s news surrounding health and safety in football:

* San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson told the San Francisco Chronicle he enjoys preaching about proper tackling techniques, which he has become known for despite causing a number of injuries.

In many ways, though, Goldson is a poster boy for player safety in a league that counts concussions as its biggest issue. Goldson, who has 296 tackles since 2009, has never been fined for a helmet-to-helmet hit and says he sustained his only concussion in 2003 at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

“The NFL is trying to come up with different helmets that keep you from getting a concussion,” Goldson said. “But it’s just that people need to learn to tackle correctly. It’s just doing it the right way. I don’t think a helmet is going to keep you from getting a concussion. You can do it by playing clean football — hitting people hard, but doing it clean.”

* The major injuries to key NFL players on Sunday included Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who suffered a neck in jury in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL.com.

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen hit Cutler hard above the neck on a fourth-down pass play, drawing a flag from the officials. Cutler finished the drive before being examined by Bears doctors. He finished the game on the sideline with his helmet off.

Cutler previously has missed two games this season with a concussion.

* Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III was unable to finish a fourth-quarter drive after be struck in the leg against the Baltimore Ravens. An MRI after the game did not show any ligament damage, the Washington Post reported.

* Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson, who has suffered from a variety of injuries this season, had his right leg sandwiched between two players while they were trying to tackle him. Chan Gailey already has said Jackson will be out at least 2-3 weeks, according to ESPN.com.

* Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne had to be carted off the field with a facial laceration after colliding with a teammate, according to the Dallas Morning News.

* New York Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill suffered what could be a serious knee injury.

* The San Jose Mercury News looked at the precedent that may have been set in the NFL after San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith lost his job following a concussion.

– Bill Bradley, contributing editor