MIAMI — The NFL Players Association has told the NFL it wants to initiate a review of the league’s concussion protocols following Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s return to Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Tagovailoa left the game after hitting the ground hard late in the first half, and the team announced at halftime that he was questionable to return with a head injury. He completed an 8-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle after scrambling out of the pocket, and Bills linebacker Matt Milano pushed him after the throw. The quarterback stumbled backward and hit his head on the ground when he landed; Milano was flagged for roughing the passer.
Tagovailoa was slow to get up and fell as he tried to walk back to the huddle and was escorted to the locker room shortly after. According to the NFL’s concussion protocol, a player must be removed from a game and evaluated on the sideline if he exhibits any concussion symptoms.
The protocol’s sideline concussion assessment involves a six-step process that tests the player for any “no-go” signs, a video review of the play, and review of concussion signs and symptoms, an inquiry regarding the history of the event, all Maddocks questions, and a focused neurological exam. If any element of the sideline assessment comes back positive or inconclusive, the player must be taken to the locker room for a full comprehensive review, accompanied by the team’s best-suited physician and an unaffiliated neurological consultant.
Tagovailoa returned to the field after halftime and finished the game with the Dolphins eventually winning 21-19. After the game, head coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa’s back was actually the issue, having hurt it during a quarterback sneak earlier in the game.
Tagovailoa said he felt like he hyperextended his back on the failed quarterback sneak and that his back “locked up” on him after the hit from Milano, causing him to stumble.
“It was sore when it did happen. But I mean, any competitor that would’ve never wanted to come out would’ve did the same thing,” he said. “So I was just trying my hardest to get back up and get the next play and run it.”
Tagovailoa finished with 186 passing yards and a touchdown, completing 13 of 18 attempts. He said he would get tests run on Monday and evaluate how he feels from there.
The Dolphins have a short week to prepare for their Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. Teddy Bridgewater would presumably start if Tagovailoa is unable to play with seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson backing him up.