Tua Tagovailoa has been trying to reassure NFL teams that he is healthy heading into the draft later this month, and the medical feedback he has been receiving appears to justify the optimism.
Tagovailoa underwent another hip scan on Thursday that was facilitated by a doctor selected by NFL team physicians, and Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report that the quarterback received “overwhelmingly positive” results.
From me and @RapSheet: Today, #Bama QB Tua Tagovailoa participated voluntarily in a medical re-check facilitated by the NFL Combine with an independent doctor that was selected by NFL team physicians, per Tua’s reps. Results were "were overwhelmingly positive."
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 2, 2020
The fact that the scan was done by an independent doctor selected by NFL teams is significant, as it shows that even doctors who have not been working with Tagovailoa feel his rehab from hip surgery is coming along as well as expected. The former Alabama star has now received numerous positive reports from doctors over the past several weeks.
Of course, the primary concern for NFL teams with Tagovailoa is always going to be the injury history, not how well his hip has recovered. A recent report claimed some teams are frustrated with the lack of direct access to Tagovailoa and inability to closely follow his recovery, so Thursday’s scan was likely a response to that.
Given all we have heard about how NFL teams are viewing Tagovailoa, it would be a shock if he was not drafted in the early part of the first round. He’s a huge injury risk, but a team is going to be willing to take that risk given his potential.
