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Tua Tagovailoa’s Third Concussion Raises Concerns About His Future in the NFL
By Eli Dibrell
CHATTANOOGA—Tua Tagovailoa The Miami Dolphins quarterback has unfortunately once again gotten a concussion making this his third one in the last couple of years and is now under medical scrutiny for it. Questions are rising about whether this will affect his career. The concussion happened during Thursday the 12th, nights game against the Buffalo Bills, when Tagovailoa was rushing fists down and collided with Bills defensive back Samar Hamlin. The hit he took left him in shambles on the field.
Both teams quickly saw what happened and signaled for medical help, while seeing signs of possible brain injury. While Tagovailoa did manage to get up on his feet and off the field, he however did not return to the game. His team shortly after confirmed that he would not be back to play that night, and Tagovailoa went straight into the NFL’s concussion protocol, which does not have a set recovery to it.
The NFL’s Concussion Protocol:
Tagovailoa’s future on the field still remains unclear as he continues through with the NFL’s protocol for concussions. Like anything medical wise- each player has a different recovery process and there is no estimated time that Tagovailoa will recover. However it is crucial for Tagovailoa to follow through with each step in the process, like neurological assessments, and physical tests. The protocol is designed so that each player gets the help they need and doesn’t return too soon after injury.
We have yet to know the full severity of Tagovailoa injury at this time, but this does mark his third concussion in just two seasons. His medical records also suggest two concussions happened from the season in 2022, which is a significant concern seeing that these are somewhat back to back. Not only do the concussions play apart in his medical history but Tagovailoa also suffered multiple injuries during his time at Alabama in college, including hip surgery and a high ankle sprain.
Health and Future: The Opinions from the NFL Community:
The NFL has shown equal concern and support for Tagovailoa, and that it would be beneficial if he took a hard look at his long term health. Some even think it wouldn’t hurt for him to take a step back from the game for a while. One of Tagovailoa close teammates, Manti Te’o, has expressed that, he hopes that Tagovailoa prioritizes his health over his career.
Te’o gave an emotional statement on NFL Network’s, Good Morning Football, saying “what people have to understand is that this is just a game. And then there’s life.” Other important voices in the football world have also made similar statements, including former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin lll, who has also voiced similar concerns, and stating that Tagovailoa should be treated with care as a person and not just a player.
The Growing List of Players Retiring Due to Concussions
While as unfortunate as it is that Tagovailoa faces another concussion, and it’s gaining significant attention on all platforms, it is not the first time that a starter player has had to rethink their future in the NFL due to unfortunate head trauma. Carolina Panthers linebacker, Luke Kuechly, retired at just 28 after suffering one to many concussions throughout his career in the NFL. Kuechly’s was a wake up call for many, showing that even though he was at the peak of his career, it is important to step away from the game and take care of your health first.
Likewise, former tight end Jordan Reed retired at just 30 after enduring many concussions just like Tagovailoa has. While others like Chris Borland left the game even earlier, taking necessary steps away, due to fears of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which is a degenerative brain disease linked to repetitive head injuries. The amount of long term risks of concussions have led to a lot of pressure on the NFL, to better protect players, like suggesting stricter rules, or more substantial penalties that lead to head trauma.
The Path Forward for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins
While Tagovailoa still remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, the team will continue to monitor his condition closely making sure nothing else goes wrong. The only thing that matters now is making sure his recovery goes well, but there are still concerns about his long term health and whether he will continue on with his career or give it up for the sake of his health. The situation still serves as a reminder for anyone in the football world, big or small, that head trauma and injuries are a very big possibility and something that everyone should take into consideration and not take lightly.
