The NFL and the NFL Players Association have concluded their review of how Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s injury in Week 3 against the Bills was handled. The league found that its concussion protocol was followed, but it noted flaws in the outcome.
Tagovailoa was hurt in the first half of Miami’s game against Buffalo on Sept. 25. He landed hard on the turf after a shove. He stumbled after standing up, triggering his removal from the game. He returned to the game in the second half and then played four days later against the Bengals on “Thursday Night Football.” In that game, he fell to the turf on a sack and eventually was stretchered off the field with what was later determined to be a concussion.
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The NFLPA announced after the Bills game it would be investigating the handling of Tagovailoa’s injury and return. A look at the findings of that investigation:
Tua Tagovailoa investigation findings
The Dolphins were found to have followed the concussion protocol, but the findings said the “outcome in this case is not what was intended when the protocols were drafted.”
The NFL/NFLPA review of the Tua Tagovailoa situation is complete. pic.twitter.com/5TDptMfbiq
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) October 8, 2022
The report recounted how Tagovailoa hit the ground, grabbed his head and then stumbled. The investigation found that the medical team and the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant (UNC) handling the injury properly reviewed the play and examined Tagovailoa before he returned to the field. Tagovailoa told the staff he injured his back; he did not report or show signs of a concussion, either during the game or the following week.
During the investigation, the NFLPA exercised its right to fire the UNC who was involved.
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While the team’s medical staff found Tagovailoa showed gross motor instability, they determined it was “not neurologically caused.” But the investigation found the team physician and UNC did not examine his back but instead relied on the results of an examination by other members of the medical staff.
The investigation has led to changes in the concussion protocol that will include adding ataxia to the list of so-called “no-go” symptoms. The report describes ataxia as abnormality of balance, motor coordinator or dysfunctional speed caused by a neurological issue. Anything on the “no-go” list prohibits players from re-entering the game.
MORE: NFL to change concussion protocol
The NFL’s chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, said Tagovailoa would have been ruled out of the Bills game under the ataxia no-go, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Dr. Allen Sills is asked if the new changes in the protocol — the addition of ataxia to the protocol — would have ruled Tua out: “Yes. It would have ruled him out.” https://t.co/FviM62P1bw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2022
Other no-gos include loss of consciousness, gross motor instability, confusion, amnesia, fencing response and impact seizure.
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