NFLPA to use ‘every legal option’ to investigate Tua Tagovailoa concussion controversy

DeMaurice Smith, the chief director of the NFL Gamers Affiliation, has vowed to pursue “each authorized possibility” to analyze a possible protocol violation by the Dolphins regarding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

After Tagovailoa was carted off the sphere in Miami’s loss to the Bengals on “Thursday Evening Soccer” – simply 4 days after he appeared wobbly after taking an enormous hit in opposition to the Payments – Smith texted the next message to Amazon’s Andrew Whitworth, who's a former NFLPA participant rep:

“We insisted on these guidelines to keep away from precisely this state of affairs. We are going to pursue each authorized possibility, together with making referrals in opposition to the medical doctors to licensing companies and the group that's obligated to maintain our gamers secure.”

Smith’s message got here after Tagovailoa was taken to the College of Cincinnati Medical Middle by ambulance following a scary scene within the second quarter.

Tagovailoa hit the again of his head on the bottom after he was sacked by Bengals nostril deal with Josh Tupou, and his arms appeared to grab up. He remained on the sphere for practically 10 minutes earlier than he was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is carted off the field after an injury in a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is carted off the sphere after an harm in a sport between the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29, 2022.
Photograph by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks to pass during the game against the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa appears to cross in the course of the sport in opposition to the Miami Dolphins and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29, 2022.
Icon Sportswire through Getty Pictures

The NFLPA had already requested a separate assessment of the NFL’s concussion protocols 4 days prior when Tagovailoa suffered an harm in Sunday’s win over the Payments. The quarterback hit his head on the bottom after which stumbled a number of instances whereas attempting to return to the huddle.

Tagovailoa underwent concussion evaluations at halftime throughout Sunday’s sport. The group initially listed the quarterback as questionable to return resulting from a head harm, however later mentioned it was a again harm that triggered him to discover the sphere. Tagovailoa later mentioned that he handed each analysis earlier than he returned to Sunday’s sport.

Medical staff tend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins after an injury during the 2nd quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 29, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Medical employees are inclined to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins after an harm in the course of the second quarter of the sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Getty Pictures
Tua Tagavoila gets sacked against the Bengals on Sept. 29, 2022.
Tua Tagavoila will get sacked in opposition to the Bengals on Sept. 29, 2022.
USA TODAY Sports activities

After Miami’s 27-15 loss to the Bengals, Dolphins first-year head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned Tagovailoa suffered a concussion and nothing “extra critical.”

The group mentioned in a tweet that Tagovailoa flew again to Miami with the Dolphins on Thursday evening.

“Participant well being and security is on the core of the union’s mission,” the NFLPA tweeted after Tagovailoa was carted off the sphere on Thursday. “Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy restoration. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing.”

On Thursday, McDaniel defined that Tagovailoa underwent analysis and was cleared by an unbiased physician, which led to him returning to Sunday’s sport.

“Yeah, in any other case, we'd’ve reported him having a head harm. That’s why the NFL has these protocols,” McDaniel mentioned. “There’s an unbiased specialist that focuses on the specialty of mind matter so, for me, so long as I’m teaching right here, I’m not gonna fudge that entire state of affairs.

Tua Tagovailoa walks off the field after suffering an injury against the Bills on Sept. 25, 2022.
Tua Tagovailoa walks off the sphere after struggling an harm in opposition to the Payments on Sept. 25, 2022.
AP
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins warms up prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 29, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins warms up previous to the sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 29, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Getty Pictures

“If there’s any type of inclination that somebody has a concussion, they go into concussion protocol that’s very strict. Folks don’t range or stray, we don’t mess with that. By no means have. And, so long as I’m the top coach, that’ll by no means be a difficulty you guys must fear about,” he mentioned.

Teddy Bridgewater will lead the Dolphins’ offense whereas Tagovailoa is sidelined.

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