What We Know About Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa’s Concussion Crisis

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is facing a significant setback after being diagnosed with his third concussion in the NFL. A source confirmed on Tuesday that Tagovailoa will be placed on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least the next four games.

The injury occurred during the Dolphins’ recent game against the Buffalo Bills when Tagovailoa attempted a scramble for a first down. As he lowered his shoulder for contact with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, his helmet collided with Hamlin’s body. This impact caused Tagovailoa to fall and enter a “fencing response,” which describes an unnatural position of the arms indicative of a head injury.

Medical staff attended to Tagovailoa for an extended period while his teammates knelt around him in concern. Ultimately, he managed to walk off the field and head to the locker room independently.

With the Dolphins having ten days until their next matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, they were tasked with deciding on Tagovailoa’s status, despite how he might progress through the league’s concussion protocol. The decision was made to place him on injured reserve. There’s no assurance that he will return in time for Miami’s game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8, as the team is being cautious about Tagovailoa’s recovery from yet another head injury. To ensure his well-being, he will be seeking evaluations from multiple independent neurologists before considering a return to the field.

When asked about Tagovailoa’s future in football, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel emphasized that it is ultimately up to the quarterback to make that decision. “As far as Tua’s career is concerned, it’s of utmost priority for Tua to speak on Tua’s career,” McDaniel stated. He highlighted that his main concern lies with Tagovailoa’s well-being day to day, allowing the quarterback to take charge of his own career narrative.

This absence marks the first time since 2022 that Miami will be without its starting quarterback. During that season, backup quarterbacks Skylar Thompson and Teddy Bridgewater collectively started five games, which included a playoff loss to the Bills. Since Tagovailoa was drafted in 2020, the Dolphins have seen a 33-20 record during his starts, contrasting sharply with a 7-9 record in games started by other quarterbacks, including Thompson, Bridgewater, Jacoby Brissett, and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Statistical analyses show the Dolphins currently hold a 19% chance of making the playoffs, ranking them 13th out of 16 teams in the AFC. Additionally, their chances of winning the AFC East sit at just 3%.

Regarding Tagovailoa’s history with injuries, it’s important to note that he faced multiple health challenges leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft. After suffering a hip dislocation and a fracture in college, he also experienced a concussion and a broken nose during that season. Although he managed to play during his rookie year, Tagovailoa missed five games across his first two seasons due to various injuries. In 2022, he was diagnosed with two concussions and endured a hit that led to a revision of the NFL’s concussion protocols.

Despite these setbacks, Tagovailoa did not miss any games during the 2023 season and secured a four-year contract extension worth $212.1 million in July.

After the 2022 season, Tagovailoa briefly considered retirement after discussing his future with family, primarily motivated by his mother’s concerns. However, he resolved to continue playing, dedicating his offseason to strength and conditioning, as well as training in a jiujitsu program to learn safer ways to fall.

To further protect himself, Tagovailoa switched to a VICIS helmet specifically designed to mitigate the risk of concussions. He acknowledged the improvements offered by this new helmet, stating that it was better than what he had previously worn.

As for his return to action, Tagovailoa must navigate a five-step NFL concussion protocol. This process begins with a period of rest and recovery, followed by light aerobic exercises, then progressing to strength training, non-contact football activities, and culminating in clearance from both the team’s physician and an independent neurologist.

With Tagovailoa out, Skylar Thompson is positioned to take on the starting role. Thompson, who has past experience as a starter, will be supported by newly signed backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, while Tim Boyle remains on the practice squad. Coach McDaniel has expressed strong confidence in Thompson’s abilities, noting how well the team responds when he is under center. As Thompson prepares for his next start, he is encouraged to rely on his teammates and trust in the extensive preparation that has taken place.