Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passed concussion protocol last week, according to the NFL and the Players’ Association.
The joint analysis found the protocol was not triggered against the Green Bay Packers, NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero said on Twitter.
“Protocol is initiated when a player receives a blow to the head or shows symptoms of a concussion. The analysis allowed the conclusion that nothing was allowed to trigger the protocol prior to the day after the meeting, when the player was examined by the team’s doctors before being placed on the protocol,” summarized the Players Association and the NFL.
The 24-year-old will therefore not appear in a jersey against the New England Patriots on Sunday. Earlier this season, two tough tackles in five days against the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals forced him out for a few weeks.
After his concussion against the Bengals, neuroscientist Chris Nowinski took to Twitter to reach out to the NFL and the Dolphins.
“It’s a disaster. Pray for Tua. Coaches and doctors should be fired. […] Two concussions in five days can kill someone and end their career too. How do we manage to be so stupid in 2022,” he wrote in a tweet that has been seen more than 3.5 million times.
Despite the injury, the pivot is playing the best season of his career in his third season as a pro. Tagovailoa has thrown 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, in addition to 3,548 passing yards.