ESPN is reporting that Tua is expected to be interviewed this week by the NFL and NFLPA’s joint investigation regarding the incidents. I fully expect the results of this investigation to come by the end of the week; I don’t think either side (NFL or NFLPA) wants this issue dragging out much longer. The other side of this issue is Tua’s health, both short-term and long-term. And because there should be zero rush to get Tua back on the field, I feel it is in Miami’s best interest (and Tua’s) to place Tua on IR this week and leave him there for at least a month, if not longer.
Clearly, Tua is nowhere near ready to return to the field anytime soon; either he had one concussion or two in a four-day span; either way, it was ugly, and it wasn’t good.
Mike McDaniel is under fire.
The Miami Dolphins organization and doctors are under fire.
This story has taken on a life of its own, and now the NFL and NFLPA are going to tweak the rules moving forward, starting as early as next week on the concussion protocol. For all parties involved, there should be a period of time here where Tua cannot step on the field and placing him on IR with the intention he misses at least four games; maybe more is probably best for all parties.
For one it prevents the “will he or won’t he” play debate each week for the next month. Second, (and I’m no doctor,) I am guessing as much time off as possible is what is best here.
Third, this story and situation is as much a PR battle as it is a matter of facts. As we saw in the national media in the days after Thursday’s game, facts do not matter. Everyone is playing doctor, everyone is a “know-it-all,” and everyone is playing 20/20 hindsight, when from Sunday to Thursday, they all kept their lips shut and didn’t mention anything about Tua not playing. If the Dolphins rush Tua back on the field in a week or two, it will not be a good look for anyone.
Public perception matters here.
The court of public opinion matters here.
Tua’s health matters the most here!
The Dolphins season will move on, with or without Tua. Miami will win some, lose some, and however the season plays out is okay.
But right, now, this organization needs to do the right thing; for itself and for Tua.
To me, the best move is to place Tua on IR and re-visit this in a month and re-evaluate if Tua is ready to play by then and if he should play at that time.
Everyone says this is “bigger than football.” Well, if they truly mean it, then actions speak louder than words, and placing Tua on IR is a no-brainer of a decision.
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