A Miami doctor tweeted that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should be suspended for not reporting his concussion symptoms on Sunday. After receiving backlash, he deleted the message.
Dr. Jesse Moore posted his original comment earlier on Tuesday, then offered a response after deleting it.
There’s so much HATE in the comments of my Tua post, that I’m going to pull it.
I stand for PLAYER SAFETY.
Period.
The @nfl & @NFLPA need to completely revamp the entire concussion protocol this off-season IMO.
It’s seriously flawed.
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) December 27, 2022
Tagovailoa most likely suffered his concussion in the latter part of the second quarter of Sunday’s 26-20 home loss to the Green Bay Packers. During the second half, the Dolphins were held scoreless and Tagovailoa threw interceptions on each of the Dolphins’ last three drives.
On Monday, Tagovailoa self-reported that he was suffering symptoms of a concussion, with the Dolphins’ team doctors immediately placing him in concussion protocol.
Dr. Moore’s controversial idea to suspend Tagovailoa for not immediately reporting the injury is a rule that doesn’t currently exist in the NFL .
That lack of awareness concerning league rules was just one of the criticisms that were leveled against Dr. Moore.
Calling for a suspension for the player is asinine.
This falls on the medical staff and spotters for missing it. Tua probably wasn’t even aware that he felt off— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 27, 2022
Are you a real doctor? Do you not believe he could have had delayed symptoms? As someone with post concussion saying this, it’s hard to put a pin on. @Tua plays with courage. Take this back you lunatic, he doesn’t deserve a suspension because a no name doctor recommends it
— Logan Toole (@LoganToole548) December 27, 2022
So you're proposing a first of its kind suspension against Tua when there's no written rules that allow the NFL to suspend him for this? There have been many players that have not reported concussions, why do you target Tua so much more heavily than anyone else?
— The Orlando Fins Fan (@TerausBBFS) December 27, 2022
https://twitter.com/305sporttakes/status/1607820924308578309
There were others who pointed out that suspending Tagovailoa would likely serve as a deterrent for future players to report a concussion. In such a situation, a player could potentially become vulnerable to more severe health issues.
Tua is in the protocol because he self reported symptoms. Suspension will literally deter players from coming forward even more than now. It’s an idiotic idea.
— mediocre_lakes (@jyellowson) December 27, 2022
You're an idiot. A Tua suspension for coming forward with symptoms means the next player keeps his mouth shut when he wakes up with a headache on Monday morning. How the fuck are you an actual doctor.
— TheSheaKitten (@SheaKitten) December 27, 2022
The connection between Tagovailoa and concussions is something that first surfaced in September when the third-year quarterback left consecutive games after receiving hard hits to the head.
In a Week 3 home game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa got up after a hard tackle and then quickly staggered to the ground. He was briefly held out before then returning to the game.
Less than a week later, Tagovailoa then sustained a more serious injury against the Cincinnati Bengals. In that instance, he was carted off the field and checked out at a local hospital, leading to severe criticism.
Tagovailoa then missed the next two games because of the latter injury and had no further concussion-related issues until Sunday’s game.
As a result of Tagovailoa being placed in concussion protocol, his status for Sunday’s crucial game against the New England Patriots. The Dolphins desperately need a victory to remain in contention for a playoff berth.
The possibility exists that Tagovailoa could be off the field until next year. The Dolphins are likely to take extra precautions before sending him back out on the field, given his value to the future of the franchise.
