Today’s health and safety news around the the world of football — and more:

* New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy, who made his first start last Sunday, is out this week after suffering a concussion, according to the New York Post. Jets coach Rex Ryan said he did not know about the concussion until Thursday.

Ryan began his news conference by saying, “You’re not going to believe this one.” He then described the scene of McElroy and trainer John Mellody coming to his office around 9:30 Thursday morning to tell him that McElroy had not told the trainers he was experiencing any symptoms of a concussion after Sunday’s 27-17 loss to the Chargers. McElroy was sacked 11 times in the game and suffered an abdominal injury. McElroy had not undergone concussion tests when Ryan spoke to the media, but the coach was convinced McElroy could not play this week. ”I’m not going to play him,” Ryan said. “There’s no doubt. I don’t care what the tests say. We’re going to err on the side of caution.”

* ESPNNewYork.com reported on Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who also suffered a concussion.

* The San Jose Mercury-News reported that San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis was back on the practice field conditioning, but is not yet cleared to practice after suffering a concussion last Sunday night against the Seattle Seahawks.

* A commentary in the New Yorker asked if chaos is a friend of the NFL, which often has dramatic real-life storylines.

* In London, The Guardian’s Sports Blog said the NFL should take heed from the football lessons of Teddy Roosevelt.

* KING-TV warned about the painful and persistent headaches that kids could suffer after concussions.

* The Tidewater Review wrote about the latest safety issues involving cheerleading.

– Bill Bradley, contributing editor