Getty Image / Megan Briggs
After a series of concussions that cost him the tail end of the 2022 season and looked like it might threaten his NFL future, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is trying out a new helmet in an effort to increase the protection of his brain.
According to ProFootballTalk, the NFL and the NFL Players Association approved a new helmet that was designed specifically to protect quarterbacks from sustaining head injuries when tackled to the ground.
Tagovailoa, who suffered multiple concussions on exactly those kinds of hits last season, said he is wearing he newly designed helmet at Organized Team Activities to see how comfortable he is in it.
“I’m still trying to feel it out, so what better time to feel it out than OTAs? I heard it’s supposedly better than the helmet I was wearing last year,” Tagovailoa said. “If it could be that much more safe, then why not give it a shot?” [via ProFootballTalk]
During the 2022 season, Tagovailoa suffered one of the most highly-publicized concussions in recent NFL memory as he was carted off the field during a Thursday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals just days after he was clearly concussed in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
While Tagovailoa missed multiple games due to injury last year, it was still a breakout season for the former University of Alabama quarterback, as he completed 65% of his passes for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 games under rookie head coach Mike McDaniel (all of which were career-highs except for completion percentage).
If Tua and the Dolphins are going to make the playoffs for a second consecutive season, they’ve certainly got their work cut out for them as they’ve not only got to contend with the Buffalo Bills but also the upstart, Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets. At this time, the Dolphins trail both the Bills and the Jets when it comes to betting odds to win the AFC East.