Did NFL concussion controversy influence controversial Tom Brady call?

Skip Bayless argued that Tom Brady got a controversial roughing the passer call because of the NFL concussion controversy with Tua Tagovailoa.

The NFL just revised concussion protocols following the controversy around Tua Tagovailoa being allowed to return to play after showing signs of ataxia, or poor body control, after a hit.

Now, players are automatically removed from play if they show signs of imbalance or stumbling after a suspected head injury. That’s why Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was not allowed to return on Sunday even though he cleared the concussion check.

There could be another aspect of the game impacted by the situation with Tagovailoa: Roughing the passer.

Did Tom Brady get a “Tua call” after NFL concussion controversy

Against the Falcons, Tom Brady was twisted around by a defender on his way to the ground. It was vaguely similar to the tackle that caused Tagovailoa’s second head injury. Skip Bayless wondered if it was “a Tua call.”

“Little Scotty Miller just got blatantly interfered with on a Brady deep ball – no call. You can argue he got a makeup call on the next play – roughing on Grady Jarrett. But Jarrett did slam Brady down and he hit his head on the ground. A Tua call,” Bayless tweeted.

It’s important to note that Brady didn’t, in fact, hit his head on the ground. He came down on his shoulder.

However, it’s an interesting theory given the similarities of tackles.

Then there’s the question of whether the refs were correct to call it that way.

Truthfully, it just looks like a bad call.

Maybe the NFL has emphasized protecting the quarterbacks from hitting their heads on the ground but defenders need to be given notice of that.

Moreover, that kind of rule adjustment is incredibly unfair to defenders who already can’t go high or low on a quarterback. If a player can no longer bring down a quarterback the way Grady Jarrett did, then the NFL should put flags around the QB’s waist and call it a day.

Maybe it was a Tua call. Or maybe it was just Brady.