The Baltimore Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh was taken aback by what he witnessed on Thursday when the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailo was taken off the field on a stretcher after receiving his second head injury in five days during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I couldn’t believe what I saw last Sunday,” Harbaugh said. “It was just something that was astonishing to see.”
John Harbaugh says he “couldn’t believe what he saw” Thursday in Miami, where Tua left with head and neck injuries. He called it “astonishing.”
“You don’t put them out until they’re ready.”
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) September 30, 2022
Previously, Tagovailo suffered a concussion in Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. In the second quarter, the Bills’ pass rusher Matt Milano tackled Tagovailo, slamming Tagovailo’s head on the ground. The Dolphin’s trainers rushed to him and assisted him in leaving the field. Tagovailo passed the NFL concussion protocol and helped the Dolphins win the game.
Despite the injury, Tagovailoa was allowed to play on Thursday against the Bengals. Another incident happened during the second quarter when Josh Tupou sacked Tagovailoa, injuring his head for the second time. Tagovailoa laid still on the ground with his hands frozen. According to Max Weisman of the New York Post, this was a sign of neurological shock.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel on QB Tua Tagovailoa playing in Week 4: "There was no medical indication from all resources that there was anything regarding the head. If there would have been, of course, anything lingering with his head, I wouldn't have been able to live with myself."
— Al Butler (@ALaboutSports) September 30, 2022
“I’ve been coaching for 40 years,” Harbaugh added. “I’ve never seen anything like it before. I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
The Dolphins’ coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa called his name when he fell.
“It’s an emotional moment,” McDaniel added. “It’s not a part of the deal you sign up for. His teammates and myself were very concerned, but he got checked out and it’s nothing more serious than a concussion.”
When asked if McDaniel was sure that Tagovailoa didn’t receive a concussion after Sunday’s game’s injury, McDaniel asserts that an independent neurologist has examined and cleared Tagovailoa before allowing him to return.
#Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel asked if he would do anything differently: "I have 100 percent conviction in our process regarding our players. This is a player-friendly organization. … There was no medical indication from all resources there was anything regarding the head."
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 30, 2022
NFLPA opens investigation
Harbaugh was not the only one shocked after Thursday’s incident. The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) opened an investigation over Tagovailo’s reappearance on the field. DeMaurice Smith, the executive director of the NFLPA, said he would pursue “every legal option” to investigate any suspected protocol violation by the Dolphins.
“We insisted on these rules to avoid exactly this scenario,” Smith said. “We will pursue every legal option, including making referrals against the doctors to licensing agencies and the team that is obligated to keep our players safe.”
Mike McDaniel on Tua Tagovailoa's head injury: "That was a scary moment. He was evaluated for a concussion and is in concussion protocol. … That was an emotional moment." pic.twitter.com/UGkPQ2bVjd
— Henry McKenna (@henrycmckenna) September 30, 2022
The NFLPA had already asked for an independent review of the NFL’s concussion protocols four days earlier after Sunday’s game. The Dolphins initially labeled Tagovailoa as questionable to return due to a head injury, but they later said it was a back injury causing Tagovailoa to stumble on the field. Tagovailoa agreed, saying he had passed all assessments before being allowed to return to the game.
“Player health and safety is at the core of the union’s mission,” the NFLPA tweeted after Tagovailoa was carted off the field on Thursday. “Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing.”
— JC Tretter (@JCTretter) September 30, 2022
Tagovailoa’s injury update
Tagovailoa was discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Friday and took a flight back to Florida. According to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, Tagovailoa was in “good spirits” back at home.
If Tua takes the field tonight, it's a massive step back for #concussion care in the NFL.
If he has a 2nd concussion that destroys his season or career, everyone involved will be sued & should lose their jobs, coaches included. We all saw it, even they must know this isn't right https://t.co/vxpaOif5rh
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 29, 2022
Initial examinations revealed that Tagovailoa suffered no structural damage. He is also required to wear a neck brace as a precaution and has scheduled an MRI.