Why former players are concerned for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

After landing in the NFL’s concussion protocol for the second time this season, several former players voiced their worries for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Two players who have been in Tagovailoa’s shoes — Robert Griffin III and Steve Young — both explained on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” why it was in the best interest of all parties to protect the third-year QB from further risk.

“When we talk about these head injuries, it’s nothing to play with,” Griffin said. “You’ve got to put the person before the player. I’m more concerned about Tua and his longevity of life than I am about whether he’s going to play on Sunday. … My mind is on what does this look like for Tua in the future?

"He should not play for the rest of the season. Whether you call it two concussions or three — it’s a repeat and the hit that we think he suffered the concussion on, wasn’t that violent of a hit. It was a routine play.”

Tagovailoa was hospitalized three months ago after suffering head injuries in back-to-back games. His apparent injury in Sunday’s 26-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers is the third time he’s been treated for a concussion through 16 weeks.

“With these kinds of concussions — multiple, now — it takes less,” Young said. “They’re more dangerous, and he can still be cognitively playing and have a concussion, wake up and have a terrible morning.”