How long is Tua Tagovailoa out?

In the third quarter, as the Dolphins were trying to close the gap on the Bills’ three-touchdown lead, Tagovailoa made a play on a crucial 4th-and-4 from the 13-yard line. He scrambled, trying to gain the first down and maybe even score. However, as he was tackled by Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Tagovailoa lowered his head. This caused his neck to jam, and he fell to the ground.

Tagovailoa lay on the field for a few minutes while players from both teams took a knee around him in support. Unfortunately, he didn’t return to the game.

So, how long will Tagovailoa be out? Here’s the latest:

What happened to Tua Tagovailoa?

Tagovailoa was diagnosed with a concussion, marking the third official concussion of his career.

He managed to walk off the field on his own before being taken to the medical tent. After his concussion was confirmed, he was escorted to the locker room and stayed there for the rest of the game.

Late in the fourth quarter, sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung provided a positive update, noting that Tagovailoa had control over all his limbs.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel shared his concerns about Tagovailoa, saying, “He was in good spirits. I was worried about my guy. It’s not something you ever want to be a part of.”

There’s no set timeline for Tua Tagovailoa’s return to the field after his latest concussion.

According to the NFL’s concussion protocol, Tagovailoa will need to complete a series of steps before he’s cleared to play again. This means he’ll definitely miss at least one game. Given that this is his third official concussion, the Dolphins will be extra cautious with him. If he’s placed on the Injured Reserve (IR), he’ll have to sit out a minimum of four games, but even then, he still needs to pass the concussion protocol before he can return.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t provide a specific return timeline, saying it’s not helpful. Instead, he mentioned that Tagovailoa will undergo daily evaluations by specialists.

With the Dolphins having a bye week in Week 6, it’s possible Tagovailoa might miss the next three games and potentially return in Week 7, which would be over a month from now.

Some media figures, like Tony Gonzalez from “Thursday Night Football,” have suggested Tagovailoa might want to consider retiring to avoid further risk. Gonzalez said, “I’m thinking retirement here. To me, it seems like a no-brainer. The brain can be affected long-term, and for me, it’s time to move on.”

NFL Concussion Protocol: How It Works

Players need to go through several stages before they’re cleared to return to play, and the duration of each step varies based on the severity of the concussion. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Symptom-Limited Activity: Players rest and avoid activities that could worsen their symptoms. They might start with light stretching and aerobic exercises under supervision as they begin to feel better.
2. Aerobic Exercise: Players engage in cardio workouts along with stretching, still under the watch of team medical staff. This stage also includes balance testing.
3. Football-Specific Exercise: Players participate in football-related exercises and work with the team for up to 30 minutes. They also continue to increase their cardio workouts.
4. Club-Based Non-Contact Drills: Players can start performing position-specific drills like throwing and catching, and they ramp up their training. By the end of this phase, they must complete neurocognitive and balance tests.
5. Full Football Activity/Clearance: The player needs approval from both the club physician and an independent neurological consultant before they can fully return to practice and games.

Each player’s recovery can be different, so the process might take varying amounts of time depending on individual circumstances.