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Despite the fact that his season ended weeks ago, Tua Tagovailoa is only now just getting out of the league’s concussion protocols.
After it was reported last week that the Miami Dolphins signal-caller had yet to clear the NFL’s concussion protocols, NFL insider Ian Rapoport has now reported that the 24-year-old has been officially cleared.
Additionally, Rapoport says the “several” doctors Tua met with are “confident” he’ll be 100% by the time football activities roll around.
#Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol, sources say. He met with several medical professionals in the process. They are confident he’ll be 100% when the time comes for football.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 1, 2023
Even though he suffered numerous injuries during the 2022 season, it was a breakout year for Tua nonetheless as he legitimately established himself as the Dolphins’ franchise QB under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel.
After he failed to pass for more than 3,000 yards in either of his first two seasons in the NFL, Tua completed 65% of his passes for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 games. So far during his three-year professional career, Tua has completed 65% of his passes for 8,015 yards for 52 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He’s also rushed for another 307 yards, six touchdowns, and three lost fumbles.
Tua had been in the concussion protocol for over a month, as he was entered into them following the Dolphins’ Christmas day loss to the Green Bay Packers. As a result of the injury, Tua missed the final two games of the regular season and the Wild Card round game against the Buffalo Bills the following week.
Earlier this season, Tua suffered one of the most highly-publicized injuries in the league as he had to be carted off the field due to a head injury during a Thursday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Still, the Dolphins must clearly have faith in both Tua’s health and his ability as the franchise has already publicly committed to the former University of Alabama product as their starter for next season.
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