Getty Image / Megan Briggs
Tua Tagovailoa looked to be on the verge of superstardom this year in the NFL. The former 5th overall pick out of Alabama in 2020 finally revealed his tantalizing potential.
But, in between some really strong quarterback play, he battled some devastating injuries. One of those injuries even made people question the league’s concussion protocols.
In a September game against the Bills, Tagovailoa suffered a devastating concussion.
Full replay of the Tua (possible) concussion play. He got hit by Matt Milano and hit the turf with his head. pic.twitter.com/29dqNyJ45L
— René Bugner (@RNBWCV) September 25, 2022
But, he played the next week. And, he got another concussion, setting off a firestorm.
Prayers for Tua Tagovailoa… this injury was scary 😳🙏pic.twitter.com/IwQOLQBDYE
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) September 30, 2022
Then, in December, he was apparently concussed again on this play against the Packers.
This would seem to be the play on which Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa was injured, when his head bangs the ground. pic.twitter.com/zCQXadHm2r
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2022
That, mercifully, ended his season. He actually just got out of concussion protocol this week.
From NFL Now: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/ItaOOPDSrT
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2023
And, he spoke to USA Today
Here are some excerpts from that article.
“For concussion protocol, I think the team did me the biggest service throughout that,” the Dolphins quarterback told USA TODAY Sports Friday at Super Bowl 57 Radio Row.
“(Miami) never allowed me to go through protocol normally until the season was done,” Tagovailoa said. “They were protecting me from myself. Me and my family are very thankful for the Dolphins.”
“I’d like to think every time I’m out there it would be different, but I’m not going to take away any credit from the Bills or take any credit away from how our guys performed. We played our hearts out. It’s not easy to do what Skylar Thompson did,” Tagovailoa said. “He’s played in a playoff game before I even played in a playoff game in my career.”
Hopefully, he can stay healthy, because the lefty can flat-out play.