Tua Tagovailoa may have played through another concussion
Sep 11, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) watches prior throwing the football during the first quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Tua Tagovailoa has once again landed in the NFL’s concussion protocol, and there is a chance the Miami Dolphins quarterback played through another head injury in Week 16.
Tagovailoa’s head bounced off the turf on a hit late in the second quarter of Miami’s loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. You can see the play below, which many suspect is the play where he might have been concussed:
Here late in the second half #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has his head driven into the ground really hard, but was not taken out of the game. This could be an explanation for Tua’s bad play in the second half. pic.twitter.com/nra8ZUTIaE
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 26, 2022
Tagovailoa remained in the game and played very poorly in the second half. He threw interceptions on each of the Dolphins’ final three offensive possessions, which was the biggest reason for his team’s 26-20 loss.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters on Monday that he is unsure of when Tagovailoa may have suffered his latest head injury. He said nobody recognized any issues during the game and that Tagovailoa spoke with trainers about his symptoms on Monday.
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
The concern, of course, is that Tagovailoa has suffered multiple head injuries this season. He appeared dazed after taking a big hit in Miami’s Week 3 game against the Buffalo Bills and later returned to the game. Tagovailoa was cleared to play the following week, and he suffered an even scarier concussion in that game.
The situation with Tagovailoa led the NFL to tweak its concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa’s status for Week 17 against the New England Patriots is in obvious jeopardy given the circumstances.
