NFL’s chief medical officer says Tua Tagovailoa showed ‘nothing that would have triggered’ concussion protocol during Packers game, as quarterback’s season is in limbo after third concussion scare of season
- Tua Tagovailoa is in the concussion protocol after Miami’s loss to the Packers
- But the NFL’s chief medical doctor has defended the decision-making of colleagues
- Tagovailoa suffered a blow to the head towards the end of the first half on Sunday
- And he remained in the game as the Dolphins went on to lose 26-20 at home
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Although Tua Tagovailoa entered the concussion protocol on Monday, the NFL’s chief medical officer said there were ‘no visible signs’ of a possible concussion vs. the Packers.
Tagovailoa suffered a blow to the head as he was tackled towards the end of the first half, but carried on playing as Miami lost 26-20.
A day later, Tagovailoa reported symptoms of a possible concussion, although Dr. Allen Sills has defended the decision-making of NFL doctors on Christmas.
Tagovailoa suffered a concussion at the end of the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Packers, as he is now considered ineligible to play vs. the Patriots in a playoff-clinching game
‘What our spotters and our unaffiliated neuro doctors are looking for is any blow that transmits force to the head or neck area, followed by that injury behavior,’ he said on an upcoming NFL Total Access interview.
And so, there are many blows to the head that occur during a game. We are always looking for the blow plus the injury behavior and obviously if we see any injury behavior, then there’s a call down made to evaluate that player.
‘There were no visible signs present, even though there was a blow to the head and the player did not report any symptoms, despite being in contact with the medical staff throughout the game. So, there was nothing that would have triggered the protocol at the moment.’
Tua Tagovailoa has now suffered three concussion scares this season with the Dolphins
Tagovailoa’s previous concussion history this season has heightened the level of concern surrounding his latest scare.
In Week 4, he went into the fencing position after a scary hit by Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou, and was taken to the hospital before missing the next two games.
He underwent an MRI scan to check for damage and wore a neck brace as a precaution.
And just four days prior vs. the Bills, Tagovailoa re-entered the game after suffering what was initially deemed a head injury, although the Dolphins later called it a back injury.
Despite the eventual diagnosis, he was seen stumbling on the field and being helped off it into a medical tent and then to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.
Tagovailoa’s first concussion scare came in the second quarter against the Bills in September
An independent neurological expert was fired by the NFL Players Association after he said the quarterback was good to go back into that game.
While Miami has dropped four straight games and needs a Week 17 win at the Patriots (and a Jets loss to Seattle) to clinch a playoff spot, backup Teddy Bridgewater is currently in line to start this weekend.
‘I just want guys to really be done right by the information we have, the science and all the medical expertise that we rely on,’ coach Mike McDaniel said on Monday.
‘I care very deeply about each and every player. I take that seriously, so I just want him to get healthy and have peace of mind in that regard. That’s first and foremost, and then whatever the circumstances are later, you deal with later. It’s about the human being and making sure he’s squared away.’
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