NFL talking heads call for Tua Tagovailoa to sit out rest of season

After it was revealed that Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol again, many NFL talking heads argued he should not play for the rest of the season.

Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol after apparently suffering his third concussion of the season on Sunday against the Packers.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel revealed that the quarter reported concussion symptoms to team doctors on Monday morning. His status for Sunday’s game against the Patriots is now in doubt.

Beyond that, this latest concussion raised questions about the NFL’s protocols surrounding head injuries. It’s suspected that Tagovailoa may have suffered the concussion late in the first half on a hit where his head whiplashed back onto the turf.

Saw this live. And I recorded it because I knew as soon as I saw it. This happened late in the 1st half. And I believe Tua played 2nd half with a concussion. His head bounced off the ground. And it was very similar to the hit in Cincinnati. 3 INTs in the 4th qtr. proved it to me. pic.twitter.com/Djl0xkGToX

— Michael Williams (@SelfMade0602) December 25, 2022

Apparently, NFL spotters didn’t catch that moment and the quarterback played the second half, poorly, with a head injury.

When the news dropped, a bunch of voices in the NFL world made it clear they think Tagovailoa shouldn’t play again this season.

Should Tua Tagovailoa play again this season?

Booger McFarland on ESPN: “Tua Tagovailoa shouldn’t play any more this season if the NFL is serious about health and safety and concussions.”

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 27, 2022

Tagovailoa has been the focal point of multiple concussion controversies already this year. He appeared off balance and stumbled after a hit against the Bills. However, the team claimed he had a back injury and he continued to play. The NFLPA opened an investigation into whether the Dolphins had skirted concussion protocol by letting him back in the game.

The QB was subsequently cleared for a Thursday Night Football game against the Bengals. In that game, he took another blow to the head and displayed the fencing response. In a terrifying scene, he had to be stretchered off the field and taken to a local hospital. The NFL changed its concussion protocol policies in response to that whole saga.

Now, Tagovailoa is once again in concussion protocol after being allowed to play after a suspected head injury.