Tua Tagovailoa went out in the first half after a hard hit but came back after passing concussion protocol
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked like he would absolutely be done for the day. He took a hit against the Bills and was hardly able to walk. Less than half an hour later, Tagovailoa was back in the game, apparently having passed concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa returned under center in the second half of the game.
The NFL enacted stricter protocols for head injuries and has updated those policies nearly every year over the past several seasons. Supposedly, the bar to return to a game after a hit to the head is extremely high to protect players.
Fans were skeptical given what they observed right after the hit, though.
Tua Tagovailoa returns in the second half against Bills despite being nearly unable to walk after hit in first half
Fans were highly suspicous of Tagovailoa being cleared to play after the hit he took.
Gonna be honest... I'm not sure how Tua passed the concussion protocol after not being able to walk about 15 minutes ago
— YardsPerPass (@YardsPerPass) September 25, 2022
How is it possible Tua is coming back in this game???
— Ross Tucker (@RossTuckerNFL) September 25, 2022
Some aren’t convinced the testing is being accurately reported.
I've seen waaaaay too many players clear the concussion protocol only to be diagnosed after the game to feel okay about Tua Tagovailoa being out there, but I don't know what the answer is -- I don't *think* they're just faking the testing, but it's clearly a limitation.
— Chris Towers …Is A Real Boy (@CTowersCBS) September 25, 2022
Tua returning to this game is borderline malpractice
— Lior (@LiorKozai) September 25, 2022
Others are sure putting him back in is worth it even if he passed, no matter how well he performs.
Tua should not be out there. I don't care if he throws 8TDs.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) September 25, 2022
It seems like there wasn’t even a debate between Tagovailoa and backup QB Teddy Bridgewater at the start of the third quarter.
Tua is currently warming up on the sideline while Teddy Bridgewater wears a skull cap. I have no idea how he passed concussion protocol... but it sure looks like Tua is going back in the game.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) September 25, 2022
The hit itself that Tagovailoa suffered the injury on was debated on Twitter at the time. No flag was thrown and some thought it should have qualified for roughing the passer.
Hopefully, the protocol passing was in good faith and Tagovailoa’s health isn’t in jeopardy whatsoever. After the start to the season he’s having, we all want him to keep this up.