NFL: 'Every indication' is concussion protocols were followed with Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would probably prefer to be in headlines this week for his team's 3-0 record but hasn't been so lucky due to the controversy related to his employer's decision to allow him to return to the field during what became this past Sunday's 21-19 win over the Buffalo Bills even though many onlookers believed he suffered a concussion in the game's second quarter.
According to Mark Maske of the Washington Post (h/t Pro Football Talk), NFL senior vice president Jeff Miller said on Wednesday that "every indication" is that the proper and mandated concussion protocols were followed regarding Tagovailoa's status at Hard Rock Stadium.
It was previously reported that the NFL Players Association initiated an investigation into the matter, and that review will take one to two weeks to be completed.
"Every indication from our perspective is that it was [followed]," Miller said of the protocols. "I know the player, the coach and others have spoken to this. And we are engaged in that review now. So we'll come back with a formal answer to that question, something that we want to engage in."
Tagovailoa stumbled when attempting to walk things off after he hit the back of his head on the ground late in the first half of Sunday's matchup but was never officially diagnosed with a concussion. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Monday his QB1 had back and ankle soreness, and Tagovailoa insisted on Tuesday he's not dealing with any head injury.
It's unclear if Tagovailoa will start for this week's "Thursday Night Football" game at the 1-2 Cincinnati Bengals. Backup Teddy Bridgewater is next up on the Miami depth chart and is preparing to face the Bengals even though Tagovailoa has said he wants to play Thursday evening.
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