NFLPA to 'pursue every legal option' in Tagovailoa investigation

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is taken off the field after suffering a head injury following a sack by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou. Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

NFLPA to 'pursue every legal option' in investigation whether Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa should've played Week 4

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 9/30/22

The social media firestorm Thursday night following Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's second horrifying injury in less than a week hasn't slowed down on Friday morning. Now, the NFLPA is continuing to look into whether the lefthander should've even been on the field for the Week 4 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The NFLPA says it will "pursue every legal option" as it investigates whether Tua Tagovailoa should have played on Thursday night pic.twitter.com/eonATn5fGJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 30, 2022

During the Dolphins' Week 3 game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa took a hard hit late in the second quarter, which resulted in his head slamming against the turf and stumbling off the field in a dizzy, wobbly manner. Despite the bizarre scene, Tagovailoa wasn't entered into the concussion protocol after the Bills game, as the team claimed he was battling a back and ankle injury.

NFL senior vice president Jeff Miller said Wednesday that "every indication" was that Miami followed the proper concussion protocols.

After being cleared, the Alabama product started the Dolphins "Thursday Night Football" game against the Bengals, only to suffer another frightening-looking injury in the second quarter. After being slammed to the turf on a clean sack by Cincinnati's Josh Tupou, Tagovailoa seized up and laid on the field for roughly 10 minutes.

He was eventually stretchered off and taken to Cincinnati Medical Center via ambulance. It was reported Friday morning that Tagovailoa had been discharged from the hospital and flew home with the rest of his teammates.

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