Nick Saban voices concern for Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa after concussion scares

Add Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban to the growing list of people worried about the long-term health of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

"I think anytime that guys start having multiple concussions it’s a cause for concern," Saban said during an appearance on the "Know Mercy" podcast hosted by ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, per Kaiden Smith of On3. "But again, I think that’s got to be how concerning is it is a medical question that needs to be answered by some people who are experts in that field." 

Tagovailoa, who played under Saban in college, suffered at least two known concussions this past NFL season and most recently spent more than a month in the concussion protocol. Saban is quite familiar with Tagovailoa's lengthy injury history, as the 25-year-old dealt with multiple physical setbacks while at Alabama.

"I hate it that he’s having these issues and problems," Saban continued about his former QB1. "I have trust in the medical staff to make the right choices and decisions for his safety, his future. I’d love to see him continue to be able to play and have success, but I don’t want him to put himself at risk either." 

For better or for worse, it seems Tagovailoa is committed to continuing his football career even though some medical experts urged him to retire as far back as the fall and a couple of months before he went down with the head injury that prematurely ended his campaign. While it's been reported that the Dolphins won't actively pursue a new starting quarterback this offseason, Miami continues to be linked in stories and rumors with retired signal-caller and to-be free agent Tom Brady. 

Brady's contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers expires at the start of the new league year this coming Wednesday. Gisele Bündchen, Brady's ex-wife, owns a home in Miami, and it's widely believed his retirement last February was at least somewhat related to a desire to join the Dolphins at that time.