The NFL and NFLPA reportedly disagree on a major issue in their investigation involving Tua Tagovailoa’s treatment by the Miami Dolphins during a Week 3 game.
Some observers speculate that disagreement might be delaying proposed changes in the league’s concussion protocol.
The issue: The NFL believes the Dolphins followed proper procedure in clearing Tagovailoa to return against the Buffalo Bills. The NFLPA does not believe the team followed protocol.
The two sides were reportedly “pushing” to finish the investigation by Thursday in time to implement any proposed changes before Thursday Night Football, but that self-imposed deadline passed.
Both sides agree changes are necessary, but there’s no agreement on how soon that will happen. Friday, the two sides issued separate statements, with the players union saying, “We would like these changes to go into effect before this weekend’s game to immediately protect the players and hope the NFL accepts the change before then.”
The NFL statement did not commit to a deadline for changes.
The dueling statements stand in sharp contrast to the joint statement the NFL and NFLPA issued last weekend saying that the two sides have reached an agreement that will modify the league’s concussion protocols “in the coming days.”
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.