Keeping Tua Tagovailoa upright and healthy is the main priority of the Miami Dolphins after what they witnessed during the 2023 season.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had his fair share of critics since entering the league, both on and off the field. He answered those critics with his play in 2022, but his health has become a major concern after multiple hits to his head made him lose time on the field.
To help combat that, the Miami Dolphins have reportedly implemented some Jiu-Jitsu in their quarterback workouts in an effort to prevent Tua Tagovailoa and their other signal-callers from suffering concussions.
During an appearance on SportsCenter on Saturday morning, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said:
“I’ve checked on his health, I was told he’s completely healthy now. Not only that, but he’s been working on that Jiu-Jitsu that you’ve heard about; how to fall forward, how to protect his head in the pocket. Well, I was told the Dolphins actually implemented some of those Jiu-Jitsu workouts with their quarterbacks before practices. So, trying to get everybody used to falling down and being able to protect yourselves.
“I was told Tua is also taking some leadership steps recently. There was a practice where it was a little bit sloppy. He stopped the whole thing, sort of talked to the offense, maybe even laid into them a little bit. I was told that’s something Tua would not have done a couple of years ago, but now he’s a major voice in Miami.”
It was back in April when Tua informed reporters he started taking jiu-jitsu classes primarily in an attempt to learn how to fall in such a way that would better protect him from hitting his head when he goes to the ground.
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The 25-year-old admitted last year was a trying one as he admitted he “considered” retiring because of the physical and mental toll that last season took on him.
He suffered two confirmed concussions, including one in a Christmas Day loss to the Green Bay Packers that went unchecked during the game.
His decision to keep playing in the league was impacted after doctors and specialists told him there was no evidence he was at greater risk of concussions or CTE going forward.
The Dolphins showed confidence in him by picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract well before the May 2 deadline, guaranteeing his $23.2 million salary in 2024.
