Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa underwent additional testing Friday and remained in concussion protocol a day after hitting his head on the turf during a game, a terrifying moment that has sparked controversy over how the league handles potential head injuries.
Tagovailoa had a headache Thursday night and Friday morning, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. The team was still awaiting the results of the MRI, which McDaniel said was done as an “extra precaution” in addition to the CT scans and X-rays taken the night before.
McDaniel said he did not have a timetable on when Tagovailoa could return.
“Right now I’m not even thinking about schedules or anything that has to do with him as a player,” McDaniel said. “It’s all about the Tua person.”
Medical personnel tend to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa following an injury during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 29, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Getty Images
Tagovailoa tweeted a statement Friday evening, thanking fans for their support.
“It was hard not being able to finish the game and be there with my teammates, but I’m grateful for the support and care I’ve received from the Dolphins, my friends and family, and all the people who have reached out to me.” He he said. “I’m feeling much better and I’m focused on recovering so I can get back on the field with my teammates.”
Tagovailoa was sacked by Bengals defensive tackle Josh Topou late in the first half Thursday. On the play, he turned awkwardly and was thrown to the grass. While on the ground, Tagovailoa appeared to display the fencing response, with his fingers frozen in front of his face.
He lay down for more than seven minutes before being loaded onto a board and stretched off the field. He was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for evaluation.
The Dolphins later said he was conscious and had movement in all his limbs. He was released Thursday night and returned to Miami with the team.
McDaniel said Tagovailoa was interacting with his teammates on the flight home. He sat down next to McDaniel and told him about the game.
“His personality was normal Tua,” McDaniel added.
It was unclear what’s next for Tagovailoa, whose season has been cut short by a gruesome injury two weeks after throwing a career-high six touchdowns in Week 2 against Baltimore.
Last Sunday against Buffalo, Tagovailoa was hit by Bills linebacker Matt Milano late in the first half and appeared to hit his head on the turf. He stumbled as he stood up and was immediately taken to the locker room, where he was evaluated for a concussion. He returned to the game early in the third quarter and was not in the concussion protocol the following week, despite questions about why he was allowed to return to the game.
Sunday’s incident prompted the NFL and National Football League Players Association to jointly review the extent of his injuries and whether the Dolphins followed proper concussion protocol that day.
“Ninety-nine point nine percent of the time the player is thrown out of the game without even thinking about it,” Concussion Legacy Foundation CEO Chris Nowinski told “CBS Mornings” co-host Nate Burleson.
Nowinski, a neuroscientist, said the dolphins endangered Tagovailoa’s life and failed to protect him.
“This is a failure of all. This is a failure of the medical team. This is a failure of the independent Sunday medical team. This is a failure of the coaching staff. The problem is all these failures, none of them he’s going to be punished. The person who’s being punished here is Tua,” Nowinski said.
The results of the joint investigation between the NFL and the NFLPA have not yet been released, but Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel says the Dolphins followed the proper protocols last Sunday.
“If there’s any kind of inclination that somebody has a concussion, they go into a concussion protocol, and it’s very strict. As long as I’m the head coach, that’s never going to be an issue you have to worry about.” , McDaniel said. .
The NFLPA tweeted Thursday night: “Player health and safety is at the core of the union’s mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we look forward to a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the possible violation of protocol is in progress.”
McDaniel reiterated Friday that Tagovailoa was cleared by multiple layers of medical professionals during that game and said he did not have a head injury.
“My job as a coach is here for the players. I take that very seriously,” McDaniel said. “And no one else in the building is getting away with it.”
He added: “There was no medical indication from all resources that there was anything going on with the head. If there had been, of course, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I had put someone in prematurely.”
Thursday’s backlash came quickly from the NFL. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Broncos QB Russell Wilson were quick to tweet with concern for Tagovailoa’s well-being.
“Praying for you Tua,” Wilson wrote.
Some criticized the decision to play Tagovailoa so soon after his injuries in Sunday’s game.
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called the situation “amazing.”
“I couldn’t believe what I saw last night,” Harbaugh told reporters Friday. “I couldn’t believe what I saw last Sunday. It was something that was amazing to see, and I’ve been coaching for 40 years … I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted: “This is a serious injury. Tua should not have been out with the change from Sunday to Thursday. Sometimes players need to protect themselves. Dolphins they failed Tua.”