Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly on track to return to the NFL in a matter of weeks, despite multiple calls for the quarterback to retire following his latest concussion scare.
Tagovailoa slammed to the turf following a hit by Damar Hamlin during the third quarter of the Miami Dolphins ‘ loss to the Buffalo Bills and appeared to go straight into the fencing response.
It was the signal caller’s third known concussion of his NFL career, having suffered a history of head injuries dating back to 2022, and the scary scenes sparked calls from fans, former players and medical experts for Tagovailoa to walk away from the game.
However, despite fears, the quarterback is plotting a return to the field this season, according to Adam Schefter.
Ahead of the Dolphins’ game against the Tennessee Titans Monday night, Schefter revealed that Tagovailoa is ‘symptom free’ and is on track to make a return as soon as Week 8.
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Tua Tagovailoa is reportedly on track to return to the NFL in a matter of weeks
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Tagovailoa took a hit by Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the third quarter of Week 2
‘He has been meeting with neurologists and I don’t believe that anybody’s told him anything right now to dissuade him from wanting to play,’ Schefter said on Monday Night Countdown.
‘There is a feeling here that he is bound to come back. For all the talk there was about Tua Tagovailoa and how he should stop playing and retire, the fact of the matter is that when his four games are up on injured reserve that he’s going to be back in the Miami Dolphins’ lineup.
‘There’s a real possibility that he’s going to be back that soon. At the very lease, he seems intent on continuing his NFL career sooner rather than later.’
Tagovailoa was at Hard Rock Stadium Monday night to cheer on his team, despite not playing after the Dolphins placed him on injured reserve.
He is forced to miss four games after being placed on IR, ruling him out until Week 6. Miami has a bye week in Week 7, meaning the earliest Tagovailoa could make his return in Week 8.
Tagovailoa collided with Bills safety Hamlin in the open field and led with his head instead of sliding. The signal caller went down after the collision, slamming his head on the Hard Rock turf.
He has now suffered three known concussions in the NFL, after his 2022 season was cut short by head injuries.
In Week 3 of that year, he was rocked by a huge tackle and went into the fencing response, but later returned to the game.
In Week 4, he exhibited concussion symptoms again after another brutal hit and was stretchered from the field.
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The Dolphins quarterback suffered a concussion – the third known of his NFL career
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Many fans and former players called for the signal caller to walk away from the game
Later in the season, in Week 16, he suffered yet another concussion, which ended his season, and sparked a change to the NFL’s concussion protocol.
And the latest scare has led many former players to call for Tagovailoa to put his health as a priority.
Former NFL star Dez Bryant led the charge of calls for his retirement on social media as Tagovailoa was led out of the game.
‘That’s it,’ Bryant wrote. ‘NFL go ahead and do the right thing. Tua has had entirely way too many concussions. He need to retire for his longevity health concerns.’
NFL legend Shannon Sharpe echoed Bryant’s sentiments, saying: ‘Really hope Tua is ok, but he’s gotta seriously think about shutting it dwn. I H8 saying this. His concussions are getting worse and worse and he’s a young man with his entire life ahead of him.’
Meanwhile, Manti Te’o, a former NFL player and close friend, tearfully urged Tagovailoa to make ‘the right decision.’
However, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel refused to discuss the possibility of Tagovailoa hanging up his cleats as he insisted it has the player’s decision to make.
‘I think it would be so wrong of me to even sniff that subject,’ the 41-year-old said when pressed on the question of Tagovailoa walking away from the game Friday.
‘It’s more in line of actually caring about the human being. You’re talking about his career. His career is his.
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Tagovailoa was able to leave the field under his own steam, before returning to the locker room
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As the signal caller left the field, McDaniel emotionally planted a kiss on his head
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Manti Te’o was visibly emotional as he discussed friend Tagovailoa’s concussion
‘I totally get that’s where people want to go. I just wish, for a second, people would hear what I’m saying—that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him.
‘I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care that should be the last thing on your mind.
‘If I were to answer that question and he read it, whether he agreed or disagreed, it would make him worse.
‘I don’t think it’s appropriate because of my care and regard . I don’t think those types of conversations when you’re talking about someone’s career… I think it’s only fair that their career should be decided by them.’
