It stands to reason that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered at least one if not two concussions earlier this season. Now, it appears that he has suffered another one.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, “Tagovailoa is once again in the NFL’s concussion protocol” and “his status for this week’s game against the [New England Patriots] is now in doubt.”
#Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is once again in the NFL’s concussion protocol. His status for this week’s game against the #Patriots is now in doubt. pic.twitter.com/Y69BnujxZN
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 26, 2022
Tagovailoa is coming off arguably the worst game of his career when he threw three interceptions on his team’s last three drives in a loss to the Green Bay Packers. The quarterback discussed the interceptions after the game but didn’t seem to infer that there were any concussion-related issues involved.
“Just very unfortunate,” Tua Tagovailoa said after the game. “It was just terrible how everything ended. Like I told the guys, ‘That’s on me.’ I will definitely get better from that.”
However, it’s hard not to draw a line between how erratic Tua got towards the end of the game and the new knowledge that he is in concussion protocol.
In a game against the Buffalo Bills in September, Tagovailoa suffered an apparent head injury and appeared to be woozy as he headed to the sideline. Despite his apparent dizziness, Tagovailoa passed the concussion protocol and was allowed to return to the game, leading to a joint investigation as to whether or not concussion protocols were correctly followed.
The following week against the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami’s quarterback was sacked by Cincinnati defensive tackle, Josh Tupou. Tupou’s momentum caused Tua to be slung to the ground, with his back and head hitting the turf hard. He was stretchered off the field and many wondered at the time if he should be benched indefinitely for his own good. However, he once again cleared protocol and rejoined the team a few weeks later.
McDaniel said he's not sure when Tua suffered a concussion, but he's in protocol. During the game "nobody recognized anything with regard to" a hit. "It was something he met with doctors today and discussed some symptoms."
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 26, 2022
According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, head coach Mike McDaniel said that he’s not sure when Tua might have suffered a concussion. “Nobody recognized anything with regard to” a hit. “It was something he met with doctors today and discussed some symptoms.”
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.