MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) 鈥 Tua Tagovailoa is now dealing with the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career, all of them coming in the last 24 months.
And there are now questions about his future 鈥 both short-term and long-term.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback was hurt in his team鈥檚 on Thursday night, on a play where he collided into Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa, who was rushing successfully for a first down, initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding as many quarterbacks do on a scramble.
Players from both teams immediately began gesturing that Tagovailoa needed medical attention as he lay on the turf and exhibited some signs typically associated with a traumatic brain injury. He remained down on the field for a couple of minutes, got to his feet and walked to the sideline after the play in the third quarter.
He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room. The Dolphins needed only a few minutes to announce that he would not return to the game.
What do we know about Tagovailoa鈥檚 concussion?
All anyone really could say with certainty late Thursday and early Friday was that he was concussed. The process of the Dolphins evaluating his condition was beginning in earnest on Friday and there is no timetable for how long that will take.
He has been placed into the and will have to successfully complete a series of tests and assessments before he or the Dolphins can even think of him returning to the field. coach Mike McDaniel said Friday, simply because they know they'll be without Tagovailoa for an undetermined period of time.
鈥淓ach player and each concussion is unique,鈥 the NFL says in the introduction to the protocol rules. 鈥淭herefore, there is no set timeframe for return to participation or for the progression through the steps of the graduated exertion program set forth below. Recovery time will vary from player to player.鈥
What is Tagovailoa鈥檚 injury history?
He was diagnosed with two concussions in 2022, as well as one when he played at Alabama.
There have been many other issues, including some in college that were serious. At Alabama, in October 2019, which caused him to miss one game. A month later, Tagovailoa against Mississippi State, which prematurely ended his college career.
In his pro career, Tagovailoa has dealt with rib fractures, a thumb injury and a fractured middle finger on his throwing hand, along with the concussions.
In April 2023, he revealed that he discussed with his family whether it was wise to continue playing after the two concussions in the 2022 season.
What are players saying about Tagovailoa?
There are a mix of reactions, as would be expected, though many former players who have since become analysts are suggesting that he take a hard look at his long-term health and ask if it鈥檚 wise to continue playing football.
Former linebacker Manti Te鈥檕, who has known Tagovailoa for years and calls him his 鈥渓ittle brother,鈥 said he hoped to see him leave the game after the concussion at Cincinnati in 2022. He said he鈥檚 thinking of his parents, what they had to have gone through on Thursday night, as well as Tagovailoa鈥檚 long-term ability to parent his own children.
鈥淎fter he suffered the one against the Bengals, I wanted him to walk,鈥 on Friday, appearing to choke back tears after he said that. 鈥淲hat people have to understand is this is just a game. And then there鈥檚 life.鈥
Added former NFL quarterback 鈥淭hink of the person not just the player,鈥 a sentiment shared by countless others.
And was even more direct, saying it鈥檚 time for the league to intervene. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 it鈥. NFL go ahead and do the right thing,鈥 Bryant posted. 鈥淭ua has had entirely way too many concussions 鈥 He need to retire for his longevity health concerns."
That stance was echoed later by who said he believes Tagovailoa should take care of his family and not risk further injury.
McDaniel made clear on Friday that he simply wants Tagovailoa to recover and wanted no part of speculating on his future. Tagovailoa has signed a four-year, $212 million extension that begins in the 2025 season.
Have players retired because of concussions?
Retirements over concussion concerns have happened on a handful of known occasions, with players at varying stages of their career when they made the decision to walk away.
鈥 Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly is perhaps the most prominent example. He was 28 when he retired at the peak of his game, a perennial All-Pro but one who had three concussions in the span of three seasons. Among those concussions: in 2016 when he cried on the field. He has since been an advocate for awareness and safety.
鈥 Frank Wycheck, the Tennessee Titans star who famously threw the lateral on the 鈥淢usic City Miracle鈥 play, left the game after 11 seasons citing the 鈥渓ingering effects鈥 of the 鈥減hysical stuff,鈥 including two concussions in the 2003 season. He retired after that season, said in a television interview in 2017 that he was certain he had CTE, and died last December after a fall at his home.
鈥 Jordan Reed was 30 when he retired in 2021 after seven seasons as a tight end for Washington and San Francisco, citing concussions. He said doctors advised him continuing to play would not be wise.
鈥 Kylie Fitts was 27 when he retired in 2022. The former Arizona linebacker said at the time 鈥渄ue to too many concussions 鈥 it is no longer safe for me to continue to play.鈥
鈥 Chris Borland was only 24 when he retired after just one season in the NFL, citing concerns about head trauma.
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