After a series of incidents with Tagovailoa that sparked debate over the NFL’s concussion policy, the Miami Dolphins say that Tua Tagovailoa will not play against the New York Jets on Sunday.
On Thursday, in the match against the Cincinnati Bengals, the quarterback Tagovailoa was taken to hospital after suffering a concussion.
In this match, Tagovailoa was slammed to the ground by Cincinnati defensive tackle Josh Tupou, and the match was stopped for several minutes while he was treated. In this incident, Tagovailoa’s hand appeared to be frozen.
A few days earlier in this match, Tagovailoa played a game against the Buffalo Bills where he appeared unsteady on his feet after taking a hit from linebacker Matt Milano and had been concussed. Dolphins physician and an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant had cleared him to return to play.
The Dolphins and Tagovailoa said a back injury caused his unsteadiness. Later, NFL Players Association removed the neurotrauma consultant because he had made several mistakes.
On Monday, Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, said an MRI on the 24-year-old had come back clean, but it was too early to give a definite timeline on the quarterback’s return.
The NFLPA and NFL are investigating Tagovailoa’s treatment, and both organizations agree that modifications to the concussion protocol are needed to enhance player safety.
In the absence of Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater will take charge as a quarterback for Miami Dolphins.
