It has been announced by head coach Mike McDaniel that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is currently in the concussion protocol.
The exact timing of the injury is unknown, and it was not detected during the team’s recent game against the Green Bay Packers.
Tagovailoa self-reported experiencing symptoms on Monday, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming game against the New England Patriots.
This is not the first time Tagovailoa has entered the concussion protocol, as he also sustained a concussion in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals, causing him to miss the team’s next two games.
On September 25th, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took a hard hit during a game against the Buffalo Bills, which caused him to appear disoriented and struggle to maintain his balance as he tried to stand. Despite being evaluated for a concussion, Tagovailoa was ultimately cleared to return to the game.
However, the hit prompted the National Football League (NFL) and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) to update their concussion protocol policy to include the term ataxia, which is defined as an “abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination, or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue.” Any NFL player who exhibits ataxia is now required to be removed from the game.
Concussion-related head injuries have been a significant topic of discussion within the NFL this season, with several players, including Tagovailoa and New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker, experiencing such injuries.
The league and the players’ association have implemented various measures to improve the process of identifying and managing concussions.
