Tua Tagovailoa (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Tua Tagovailoa has an important decision to make about his career going forward. He is at a point where he can afford to have another concussion.
Tagovailoa’s NFL future is the subject of widespread debate after he suffered his third concussion in 24 months.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback was unable to get back on his feet immediately after being hit by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Tua Tagovailoa showed signs of a traumatic brain injury as he went into a fencing position, something he had done before, more notably during the 2022 season when he got taken off the field in an ambulance.
Less than two months removed from signing a $212 million contract extension with Miami, Tagovailoa admitted following the 2022 campaign that he briefly considered retirement due to his medical history.
Now it appears he could be forced to take action by his own team.
The Daily Mail is reporting Tua Tagovailoa could be shut down for the entire season to give him time to consider retirement.
The report added that he is expected to be sidelined for the foreseeable future and that he may have played his final game for the team.
“It is looking like the Dolphins may shut Tua down for the entire season to give him time to consider retiring from the NFL,” the source told DailyMail.com.
“The healing and the emotions are at a high right now and no immediate decisions are going to be made but after this latest concussion the likelihood that the NFL and the Miami Dolphins are going to recommend highly for him to retire is almost definite.”
However, according to the source, Tua Tagovailoa is strongly against this and wants to continue his career.
‘Tua is adamant he would like to continue playing,’ the source continues. ‘Once he gets better, he wants to be on the field.
‘It is going to be a long road for people to convince him to retire, he doesn’t want to retire at all.’
His latest injury has resulted in calls from pro sports peers, former NFL players, media personalities, and fans to leave the game.
Concussions and repeated blows to the head are key risk factors in long-term brain injuries, including CTE, which is a serious condition that can cause early dementia and death. It is a condition that can only be diagnosed after death.
In the meantime, Tagovailoa will undergo the NFL’s concussion protocols and will likely not be available for the team’s next game.
Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out For Next Game Despite Extended Break
Every year, we are given a sobering reminder of how dangerous football can be, and we got it early this season after Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion during the third quarter of Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson will be the starter for the Miami Dolphins as Tua deals with his latest concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
Tagovailoa entered concussion protocol as the Dolphins began preparations for their Week 3 game at Seattle on Sept. 22.
Injuries have been an issue for Tagovailoa throughout his NFL career, and although the team doesn’t play a game for nine days, it is best to keep Tua out to ensure his safety.
