Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been plagued by a series of concussions over the past 24 months.
The latest head injury occurred during the Dolphins' first Thursday Night Football game of the season, a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin in the second half and sustained what was confirmed to be the third concussion the quarterback has been diagnosed with since joining the NFL.
Thursday's health scare reignited discussion about whether the 26-year-old quarterback should retire from football.
Chris Nowinski, a neuroscientist and former professional wrestler and Harvard football player, offered his thoughts on Tagovailoa's situation.
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Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“There is no doubt that Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play,” Nowinski wrote on Twitter. “His right arm was in a 'fencing position' indicating he was unconscious and the severity of the injury is high on the concussion spectrum. He will miss tonight's game and will be unavailable for the next game.”
Dolphins player Tua Tagovailoa faces NFL retirement request after recent concussion: 'It's not worth it'
Nowinski last competed for WWE under the name Chris Harvard in 2003. Since retiring from professional competition, Nowinski has become one of the most prominent figures in the concussion awareness movement.
He also holds a PhD in Behavioral Neuroscience from Boston University.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) receives an assist on the field during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Meanwhile, former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant called on Tagovailoa to retire from the NFL, citing “longevity” and “health concerns.”
Other former players, including three-time Super Bowl champion Shannon Sharpe, agreed.
“I truly hope Tua is OK, but he needs to seriously consider withdrawing from the game. I hate to say it, his concussion is getting worse and worse and he is a young man with a lot of life ahead of him,” Sharpe wrote in a social media post.
Nowinski did not call for Tagovailoa to end his football career, but instead stressed the importance of him recovering from a recent head injury.
“There's no magic number for the number of concussions that requires retirement,” he said. “It all depends on how he recovers from this one, but too many concussions can lead to chronic conditions and mental illness. He's in a very tough situation.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) leaves the field with training staff after apparently sustaining an injury during the second half of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on September 12, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images)
Nowinski also pointed out the predicament doctors could get into by encouraging Tagovailoa to quit medicine.
“This is a hard truth,” Nowinski said. “Doctors who recommend retirement for a star player without symptoms lasting more than a year, a brain bleed or significant MRI changes could be blacklisted. Many doctors might recommend retirement for Tua simply because he has frequent concussions. Tua might not see those doctors.”
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Tagovailoa was running with the ball for a first down in the third quarter of Thursday's game, but instead of sliding, he lowered his shoulder as Hamlin approached. The 26-year-old point guard remained on the turf for several minutes while medical staff treated him. Tagovailoa was eventually able to walk to the Dolphins sideline.
The Dolphins plan to have another quarterback on the roster until Tagovailoa recovers from his recent concussion, but Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel made it clear that Tagovailoa's health is everyone's top concern.
Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson is likely to start when Miami plays against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 22.
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