Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, suffered head and neck injuries and had to be carried off the field during the second quarter of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday.
Cincinnati defensive lineman Josh Tupou sacked Tagovailoa, whipping him as he fell. Tagovailoa took a nasty hit to the head, sending his head crashing off the ground, according to a news story from Bleacher Report. Tagovailoa was distressed on the ground, had noticeably crooked fingers as the cameras zoomed in closer.
Same Horrific Injury
Tua Tagovailoa was conscious and moving all his limbs when he was taken to the hospital, University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The Miami Dolphins confirmed Tagovailoa will be discharged from the hospital and go home with the team shortly after the game.
Following the game, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that Tagovailoa had been diagnosed with a concussion. The 2020 first-round pick is having a breakout season, capped by a six-touchdown game in Week 2. On Thursday, he placed first among qualified players in ESPN's Total QBR (82.8), up from last year's 18th-place finish (55.7).
With the Tua Tagovailoa injury, Miami will need Teddy Bridgewater to take over the offense. Only last week, during the Dolphins' victory over the Bills, Tagovailoa sustained the same terrifying injury. Pass rusher for Buffalo, Matt Milano, delivered a blow that sent him reeling backward, and he smacked the ground hard with his head as he hit the turf. He got up and tried to sprint back to the huddle, but he collapsed and had to be assisted off the field.
However, after going through the NFL's concussion protocols, he was cleared to return in the second half of the game. A probe was launched by the NFL Players Association into the circumstances surrounding the player's return to play, including the medical clearance and methods involved in testing for a possible head injury or concussion.
There have been calls for a complete staff cleanout at the Miami Dolphins after the traumatic sight of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being carried off the field on a stretcher. News.com.au reported that many people have prayed earnestly for the 24-year-old, while others have demanded that Dolphins officials be fired because of the choice to play Tagovailoa.
People on the commentaries thought the team "lied" to let him play and should lose their jobs because of it. The question of whether Tagovailoa should have been playing in the first place persists, although he was eventually released and returned home with the squad while apparently wearing a neck brace.
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NFLPA Launches Investigation
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) said afterward it would look into whether or not the Dolphins followed the concussion protocol, but the inquiry was not finished in time for Thursday's game against the Dolphins due to the short week. Tagovailoa's status for Thursday night's game was in doubt due to back and ankle issues.
Tagovailoa may have sustained two concussions in five days, which is quite concerning. DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFLPA, reportedly sent a message to former Amazon broadcasters Richard Sherman and Andrew Whitworth on Thursday night. He threatened to take stern measures to protect its players.
Smith remarked: "We insisted on these rules to avoid exactly this scenario." He added that, if necessary, the NFLPA will pursue every legal option and will report the physicians to the proper regulatory bodies and the team responsible for the safety of the athletes.
Even if the Tua Tagovailoa injury had not happened on Thursday night, the NFLPA was going to look into this anyhow, according to CBS Sports. His brain damage sadly elevates the significance of this issue to a new degree.
The NFL's treatment of players who suffer brain injuries has been the subject of much debate. It's reasonable to speculate that this recent incident of Tua Tagovailoa injury may prompt yet another revision to standard operating procedure.
