NFL Doctors Face More Scrutiny After Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion
Fallout From Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion
The NFL is again under fire for its handling of head injuries after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29, 2022. Tagovailoa had previously been cleared to play just four days earlier after suffering a similar injury in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
The latest incident has raised serious questions about the NFL's concussion protocols and the role of team doctors in protecting players. Many experts believe that Tagovailoa should not have been allowed to play in the Bengals game, and that the Dolphins medical staff may have put the player at risk.
The NFL's Concussion Protocols
The NFL's concussion protocols are designed to help ensure that players who suffer head injuries are properly evaluated and treated. The protocols require that players who exhibit any signs of a concussion be immediately removed from the game and evaluated by a team doctor.
The doctor must then determine whether the player has suffered a concussion. If the doctor believes that the player has suffered a concussion, the player must be placed in the NFL's concussion protocol.
The concussion protocol is a five-step process that includes rest, light exercise, and gradual return to activity. Players must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before they can be cleared to return to play.
The Role of Team Doctors
Team doctors play a critical role in the NFL's concussion protocols. They are responsible for evaluating players who exhibit signs of a concussion and determining whether the player has suffered a concussion.
Team doctors also make the decision of whether to clear a player to return to play. This is a difficult decision, as there is no way to know for sure whether a player has fully recovered from a concussion.
In the case of Tua Tagovailoa, many experts believe that the Dolphins medical staff may have made a mistake in clearing him to play in the Bengals game. Tagovailoa had exhibited signs of a concussion in the Bills game, and he had not yet fully recovered from that injury.
The Fallout From Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion
The latest incident involving Tua Tagovailoa has led to a renewed focus on the NFL's concussion protocols and the role of team doctors. Many experts believe that the NFL needs to do more to protect players from head injuries.
Some experts have called for the NFL to adopt stricter concussion protocols. Others have suggested that the NFL should give independent doctors more power to make decisions about whether players are cleared to play.
The NFL is currently reviewing its concussion protocols. The league has also hired an independent neurologist to help advise on the protocols.
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