The Miami Dolphins and the NFL are coming in for some heavy criticism after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a seemingly serious head injury for the second time in the space of a few days during the team's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last night.
The Hawaii native had been one of the stories of the season up to this point, leading the Dolphins to a 3-0 record during his second full season as a starter.
Tua was one of the most highly rated college players in recent years, although he would struggle with injuries during his time at Alabama. Despite this, he was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
It looked as though he has was beginning to live up to his lofty potential in the pro ranks this season, although there are now serious concerns about his physical wellbeing after the last two games.
NFL criticised after Tua Tagovailoa suffers another head injury
The Miami Dolphins were widely slammed last weekend when they allowed Tua to continue playing in their game against the Buffalo Bills, despite the player suffering what seemed to be a clear head injury.
After being tackled in the second quarter, the quarterback would fall to the ground and smack his head off the playing surface. After attempting to get up and make his way to the line of scrimmage, his legs would buckle underneath him.
It made for very unpleasant viewing.
TUA with a concussion. Definitely done. #dolphins #bills pic.twitter.com/aWKzXKesBM
— Browns Rally Possum (@BrownsRally) September 25, 2022
This was NOT a back injury at all and it was blatant lying. There should be an investigation into the Dolphins medical staff as well Tua should not have played tonight pic.twitter.com/n4qQTn5GBF
— sam hubbard enthusiast (vince) (@qsmartreviewer) September 30, 2022
Despite this, the Dolphins allowed him to continue in the game. The team would claim that he had suffered a back injury and had experienced no damage to his head.
Tua was not placed in concussion protocols after the game, meaning he was free to play in their Thursday Night Football matchup against the Bengals last night.
Unfortunately, he would go on to suffer another head injury.
After being sacked in the second quarter, the 24-year old's head made heavy contact with the ground. Not only that, but he would seem to spasm on the ground as he awaited medical attention.
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. pic.twitter.com/D8S8eEbgda
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
On this occasion the player would not return to game, instead being transferred to a nearby hospital after suffering head and neck injuries. Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel would later confirm that he has suffered a concussion.
This incident has rightly led to widespread condemnation of the approach taken by both the team and NFL in relation to Tua's injury concerns.
It seemed clear that he should have been taken out of last weekend's game, while the decision to play him against the Bengals could now have dangerous long-term consequences.
The reaction to the incident spoke volumes.
I take no pleasure in being right. Pray for Tua. We saw this coming. Get angry. Get involved with @ConcussionLF to make sure the @NFL can't do this again. https://t.co/qbZLlgvk5S
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
Fire the entire Dolphins training staff for letting Tua play after he got concussed last week, seeing that injury get worse there was just incredibly disturbing
— Kirk Cousins Enjoyer (@KirkEnjoyer) September 30, 2022
That’s a serious injury . Tua shouldn’t have been out there with Sunday Thursday turn around. Sometimes players need protecting from themselves. Dolphins failed Tua
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) September 30, 2022
Very thankful today for the Patriots' trainers/medical staff for the way they handled my concussion in 2011.
I was out on my feet, they took it seriously, and I spent the year on IR. They saved me from myself. I would've rushed back if they let me. They didn't.
Prayers for Tua.— Rich Ohrnberger (@ohrnberger) September 30, 2022
Watched a kid in highschool suffer from Second Impact Syndrome (two concussions in a short span) and his hands did the exact same thing as Tuas.
The kid is severely disabled now. He was lucky to survive.
Praying for you Tua. Whoever cleared him to play, go fuck yourself.— NuclearCat (@N3utronCat) September 30, 2022
The bottom line regarding Tua is LIFE is bigger than football. Teams should always put the person before the player. Health before competitive advantage.
Putting Tua out there isn’t just a player safety issue. It’s a quality of life issue.— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 30, 2022
really bad that the announcers and analysts aren't addressing in any way the nature of Tua's injury last week, the "investigation" of whether concussion protocols were followed, and what it might mean for a player to suffer two head injuries within 5 days
no mention at all— John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) September 30, 2022
Tua Tagovailoa is now likely to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, while questions will rightly be asked about the policies that allowed him to step onto the field last night in the first place.
With all that is now known about head injuries in the NFL, incidents such as this should not be allowed to happen.
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