The NFL and Miami Dolphins are currently embroiled in a scandal around their handling of repeated head injuries to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Critics accuse the Dolphins of allowing Tagovailoa to return to play after he suffered an apparent concussion in Week 2’s comeback win against the Baltimore Ravens.
Tagovailoa suffered an apparent concussion Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals. Defensive tackle Josh Tupou sacked Tagovailoa late in the first half. Tagovailoa fell awkwardly to the ground, hit his head, and displayed the fencing response afterward.
Tagovailoa was taken by ambulance to a University of Cincinnati hospital, where he was soon discharged and allowed to fly home with the team.
On Saturday, the NFL Players Association decided to terminate the “unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant” who cleared Tagovailoa to return to play against the Ravens in Week 2.
NFL reporter Jonathan Jones added additional context to the firing:
“The NFLPA’s decision to terminate the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant involving in clearing Tua Tagovailoa came after the union’s discovery of ‘several mistakes’ made by the doctor in its view, per source,” Jones tweeted.
The NFL world was quick to react to the decision.
“For cause? Or per choice? UNCs are appointed under joint NFPLA and NFL consent. Either party can change mind at anytime,” David J. Chao said.
“Yup, it was definitely a back injury,” Trevor Lane wrote.
Curious if anything more happens out of this at this point…. https://t.co/lRt1p5rz3D
— David Fucillo (@davidfucillo) October 1, 2022
“Curious if anything more happens out of this at this point…” David Fucillo tweeted.
https://twitter.com/mccarthyryanj/status/1576273992217935875
“Pretty disgusted by the NFL and the team I’ve been rooting for my whole life. And I think this investigation is only gonna get worse,” Ryan McCarthy wrote.
https://twitter.com/rickbozich/status/1576273697354063872
“Don’t let the coaching staff off the hook,” wrote Rick Bozich.
The Dolphins are next in action on Oct. 9th when they travel to New Jersey to face the New York Jets in AFC East play.