Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa underwent extra testing Friday and remained within the concussion protocol a day after hitting his head towards the turf throughout a recreation, a daunting second that has sparked controversy about how the league handles potential head accidents.
Tagovailoa had a headache Thursday evening and Friday morning, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated. The crew was ready nonetheless for outcomes from the MRI, which McDaniel stated was executed out of "further precaution" on prime of the CT scans and X-rays taken the evening earlier than.
McDaniel stated he had no timetable on when Tagovailoa would possibly be capable of return.
"I am not even actually serious about timetables or something concerning him as a participant proper now," McDaniel stated. "It is all about Tua the individual."
Tagovailoa was sacked by Bengals defensive sort out Josh Topou late within the first half Thursday. On the play, he spun awkwardly and was thrown to the turf. Whereas on the bottom, Tagovailoa appeared to show the fencing response, along with his fingers frozen in entrance of his face.
He remained down for greater than seven minutes earlier than being loaded onto a backboard and stretchered off the sphere. He was taken to College of Cincinnati Medical Middle for analysis.
The Dolphins later stated he was aware and had motion in all of his extremities. He was discharged Thursday evening and flew again to Miami with the crew.
McDaniel stated Tagovailoa was interacting with teammates on the flight dwelling. He sat subsequent to McDaniel and talked to him in regards to the recreation.
"His persona was regular Tua," McDaniel added.
It was unclear what's subsequent for Tagovailoa, whose breakout season has been interrupted by a scary damage two weeks after he threw a career-high six touchdowns in Week 2 towards Baltimore.
Final Sunday towards Buffalo, Tagovailoa took a success from Payments linebacker Matt Milano late within the first half and appeared to hit his head on the turf. He stumbled when he obtained up and was instantly taken to the locker room, the place he was evaluated for a concussion. He returned to the sport in the beginning of the third quarter and was not within the concussion protocol the next week, regardless of questions on why he was allowed to return to the sport in any respect.
The Sunday incident prompted the NFL and Nationwide Soccer League Gamers Affiliation to collectively assessment the extent of his accidents and if the Dolphins adopted correct concussion protocol that day.
"Ninety-nine level 9 p.c of the time that participant is dominated out of the sport with out even considering," CEO of the Concussion Legacy Basis Chris Nowinski advised "CBS Mornings" co-host Nate Burleson.
Nowinski, a neuroscientist, stated that the Dolphins put Tagovailoa's life at risk and failed to guard him.
"It is a failure by all people. It is a failure by the medical crew. It is a failure by the unbiased medical crew on Sunday. It is a failure by the teaching employees. The issue is all these failures, none of them are going to be punished. The one who is punished right here is Tua," Nowinski stated.
The outcomes of the joint investigation between the NFL and the NFLPA haven't but been launched, however Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is adamant that the Dolphins adopted correct protocols final Sunday.
"If there's any form of inclination that somebody has a concussion, they go into concussion protocol, and it's extremely strict. So long as I am the pinnacle coach that may by no means be a problem that you simply guys have to fret about," McDaniel stated.
McDaniel reiterated Friday that Tagovailoa was cleared by a number of layers of medical professionals throughout that recreation and stated he didn't have a head damage.
"My job as a coach is right here for the gamers. I take that very severe," McDaniel stated. "And nobody else within the constructing strays from that."
He added: "There was no medical indication from all assets that there was something concerning the pinnacle. If there would have been, in fact, I would not have been capable of stay with myself if I prematurely put somebody on the market."
Response Thursday got here swiftly from across the NFL. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Broncos QB Russell Wilson promptly tweeted with concern for Tagovailoa's well-being.
"Praying for you Tua," Wilson wrote.
The NFL Gamers Affiliation tweeted: "Participant well being and security is on the core of the union's mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy restoration. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing."
Some criticized the choice to play Tagovailoa so quickly after his accidents in Sunday's recreation.
Corridor of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted: "That is a severe damage . Tua should not have been on the market with Sunday Thursday flip round. Generally gamers want defending from themselves. Dolphins failed Tua."