Tua Tagovailoa is clearly one of those players who desperately need to be saved from themselves.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel revealed that Tagovailoa was concerned about missing upcoming games on Miami’s schedule, and pondered when he might be able to return to play.
“Tua, let’s stop this right now,” McDaniel recalls telling his young quarterback, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. “Don’t even think about a game. … Let’s worry about you and your head and being a healthy human being. We’ll worry about playing football later.”
Tagovailoa played against Cincinnati just four days after leaving Miami’s Week 3 game against the Bills with what looked like a potential head injury. Somehow, he was able to return and lead the Dolphins to an upset win, later being diagnosed with a minor back injury.
The NFLPA is investigating the franchise’s handling of concussion protocols with its quarterback.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was taken by ambulance to a Cincinnati-area hospital after sustaining head and neck injuries during his team’s 27-15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night.
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He was later discharged from the hospital on Thursday and flew home with the team.
Tagovailoa was 8-of-14 for 110 yards, no touchdowns and an interception prior to his exit Thursday. Teddy Bridgewater took over at quarterback for the Dolphins and is expected to remain the starter until Tua is healthy and ready to go.
The 24-year-old Tagovailoa, the 2020 NFL Draft’s fifth-overall pick, is in his third season with Miami.
