Once again, the NFL is wrestling against the issue of concussions after what happened to Tua Tagovailoa during the Miami Dolphins’ Thursday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
He took a hard hit where his head slammed right off the turf.
Unfortunately, Tagovailoa was obviously shaken after the clean hit, and his fingers were in awkward positions.
He was carried off the field on a stretcher and brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
While he sustained neck and head injuries on that play, Tagovailoa showed movement in all his extremities.
That result had him flying with his team back to Miami, where he will be subject to further evaluation.
As a response, the NFL Players Association will conduct an investigation to find those responsible for the incident.
Therefore, the Dolphins’ medical and coaching staff might be in hot water after clearing Tagovailoa to play.
But in some ways, the quarterback may also take the blame, especially if he lied about his condition.
After all, retired offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth admitted that players can alter the narrative.
Yikes. Andrew Whitworth just said on national TV that he was able to lie his way through a NFL concussion test and come back into a game a few years ago.
A teammate knew he wasn't right and told the coaches to take him out.
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) September 30, 2022
93.7 The Fan host Josh Rowntree tweeted, “Yikes. Andrew Whitworth just said on national TV that he was able to lie his way through a NFL concussion test and come back into a game a few years ago. A teammate knew he wasn’t right and told the coaches to take him out.”
Who Is To Blame?
No one within the Dolphins organization might have persuaded Tagovailoa to take it easy, especially if he was the one who insisted on playing.
He was already in terrible condition after a hit he received against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3.
Tagovailoa fell to the ground again after initially wobbly getting up.
Therefore, it’s hard to rule out the possibility that Tagovailoa forced the issue and played against Cincinnati despite some resistance.
However, the doctors must step up and protect the players.
That incident should serve as a lesson that no player is above the doctor’s diagnosis.
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