The NFL and NFLPA are currently conducting a review into how the Sept. 25 concussion evaluation of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was handled.
When Tagovailoa suffered a traumatic head injury during last week’s Thursday Night Football game versus the Cincinnati Bengals, many believed that the Dolphins organization was to blame.
The review is meant to get to the bottom of what happened, went wrong and how the league can learn from the mistakes that were possibly made.
The NFL and NFLPA interviewed Tagovailoa himself earlier this week, and it now appears that the goal is for the review to be done prior to this week’s Thursday night matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
Multiple sources tell me the review into Tua Tagovailoa's handling following his Sept. 25 concussion evaluation could be finished as early as Thursday
The NFL wants to get it done before Colts-Broncos kickoff — still hurdles to cross before it's resolved but league is pushing
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) October 5, 2022
Clearly, the NFL wants to figure out what exactly went wrong as quickly as possible. It is really hard to determine what kind of rulings will be handed down and if anyone within the Dolphins organization will face discipline.
Since Tagovailoa left last week’s game after displaying a scary symptom of serious head and neck injuries known as the “fencing reflex,” fans and experts alike have been calling for firings and fines for numerous decision-makers within the franchise.
At the end of the day, what matters most is the health of Tagovailoa. Though the quarterback is reportedly recovering well from the scary injury, it is hard to predict when or if he will see the field again this season.
One famed neuropathologist has already taken to the media to advise Tagovailoa to quit the game of football for good.
“If you love your life, if you love your family, you love your kids — if you have kids — it’s time to gallantly walk away,” Bennet Omalu said in a message to Tagovailoa. “Go find something else to do.”
At this time, it does not appear that Tagovailoa is considering retirement. Still, it is hard to know what will happen in the coming weeks. As most NFL fans know, one of the most dangerous parts of the sport in relation to brain injuries is the risk of suffering multiple concussions in a short amount of time.
If Tagovailoa did indeed suffer a concussion versus the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, that would mean he suffered at least two brain injuries in five days. Even if he didn’t suffer two, the one confirmed concussion was scary enough.
Before Tagovailoa returns to the field, the team is going to have to be sure that he is not at greater risk of suffering more head injuries going forward.
