The Miami Dolphins are once again under scrutiny for their decision to clear Tua Tagovailoa after the quarterback was stretchered off in Friday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tagovailoa appeared to have suffered a nasty head knock in last Monday’s game against the Buffalo Bills but was later allowed to re-enter the game.
Both the Dolphins and Tagovailoa said a back injury was to blame for the quarterback’s concerning reaction to the hit, where he initially got up before stumbling.
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“On the quarterback sneak, I kind of got my legs caught under someone and they were trying to push back,” Tagovailoa told reporters.
“It felt like I hyperextended my back. On the next play, I hit my back and kind of hurt it. Then I got up and that’s kind of like when I stumbled. For the most part, I’m good. Passed whatever concussion protocol they had.”
Tagovailoa had been in some doubt for Friday’s game, initially not practising before being limited later in the week as he dealt with ankle and back injuries.
The 24-year-old was cleared to play though but had to be stretchered off the field in the second quarter on Friday after a brutal sack from Josh Tupou.
Tagovailoa was subsequently taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Centre, a Level 1 Trauma Centre, with head and neck injuries.
In an update, Miami confirmed Tagovailoa is conscious and has movement of all extremities.
Speaking to reporters post-game, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa got all checkups, including doctor reporting and vehemently denied they had misreported the injury.
“We don’t mess with that,” he said.
“Never have. As long as I’m the head coach that’ll never be an issue you guys will have to worry about.”
It comes after NFL executive vice president Jeff Miller had said the league had “every indication” the Dolphins followed appropriate concussion protocols in handling Tagovailoa’s injury against the Bills.
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“Every indication from our perspective is that it was [followed],” Miller told reporters.
“I know the player, the coach and others have spoken to this. And we are engaged in that review now. So we’ll come back with a formal answer to that question, something that we want to engage in.”
Chris Nowinski, the founding CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, had tweeted that it would be a “massive step back for concussion care in the NFL” if Tagovailoa played.
“If he has a 2nd concussion that destroys his season or career, everyone involved will be sued & should lose their jobs, coaches included. We all saw it, even they must know this isn’t right,” Nowinski added.
Unfortunately Nowinski was right, later tweeting after Friday’s incident: “This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022.”
