NFL, NFLPA say Tua Tagovailoa did not violate concussion protocol after injury against Packers

NFL and NFLPA conclude second investigation into Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and rule he did not violate concussion protocol after injury in Week 16 game against Green Bay Packers did.

An investigation reportedly concluded that Tagovailoa showed no visible signs of a concussion during the contest.

Tagovailoa played the entire game, losing 26-20 to the Packers. The Dolphins led the game 20–13 at halftime, but Tagovailoa threw an interception on three consecutive drives in the second half, leading to the loss.

The next day, Tagovailoa was placed on concussion protocol after head coach Mike McDaniel reviewed the film on Monday. McDaniel said he noticed some oddities on the tape, leading the team to question Tagovailoa about the game. The team felt Tagovailoa needed to speak to a medical professional following these questions. This put Tagovailoa on the concussion protocol.

Tua Tagovailoa was also placed on concussion protocol after four weeks.

This is the second time Tagovailoa has been placed in concussion protocol this season. The first occurred after Week 4, when a brutal hit sent Tagovailoa off the field on a stretcher.

The concussion came just days after Tagovailoa teetered and dropped to one knee after being hit hard against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.

After the Bills game, the Dolphins initially said Tagovailoa was sidelined with a head injury. The team then claimed that Tagovailoa was dealing with a back injury, not his head injury. He was cleared to return by both the Dolphins and an independent neurologist.The NFLPA has launched an investigation to ensure the situation is handled properly.

After Tagovailoa’s Week 4 injury, the league and the NFLPA attempted to crack down on concussion protocols and reporting. The Dolphins saw the effects of that change immediately, as backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was ruled out of the team’s Week 5 game after being hit hard.

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Tua Tagovailoa showed no signs of concussion during Packers game

Tagovailoa delivered some heavy blows against the Packers, but nothing prompted the spotter to take action.NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills backed the decision The NFL and NFLPA conclusively agreed with that assessment after a recent investigation, said Tagovailoa on Tuesday showing no visible signs of a concussion against the Packers.

Given the public nature of Tagovailoa’s Week 4 injury, there are mixed opinions on how the rest of the season should be handled now that the Dolphins and Tagovailoa are dealing with yet another concussion. Several former NFL players have urged Tagovailoa to shut himself down.

The Dolphins are 8-7 and are in the playoff hunt with two weeks left in the regular season. The Dolphins need to beat the New England Patriots in Week 17 to stay in the playoff race.