NFL, NFLPA launch findings into evaluation of Tua’s concussion verify and alter protocol

In a joint assertion launched on Saturday, the NFL and NFL Players Association mentioned that the workforce doctor and unaffiliated neurotrauma advisor concerned in Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion verify on Sept. 25 adopted the league’s step-by-step protocols however “the outcome in this case was not what was intended when the Protocol was drafted.”

The two sides additionally introduced an alteration of the concussion protocol, including a brand new time period, “ataxia,” to the record of no-go signs that bar a participant suspected of a concussion from reentering the sport. This change takes impact beginning with the rest of the Week 5 video games.

If a participant is identified with ataxia — abnormality of steadiness/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech attributable to a neurological situation — he’s prohibited from returning to the sport. Gross motor instability has been one of many no-go signs, however a participant may return to a sport if the workforce doctor and advisor concluded that the instability was not the results of a neurological situation.

The evaluation discovered that Tagovailoa sustained and reported again and ankle accidents earlier throughout the workforce’s sport towards the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25. Tagovailoa informed the medical employees that he aggravated his again harm after he was shoved by linebacker Matt Milano and hit his head on the bottom, in line with the evaluation, the play by which he was suspected of sustaining a concussion. Tagovailoa grabbed at his helmet and stumbled after getting up, including extra suspicion that he could have sustained a head harm.

Tagovailoa was examined for a head harm and cleared to return within the second half of the sport, a 21-19 Dolphins win.

Tagovailoa didn’t report or exhibit any indicators or signs of a concussion throughout his examination within the locker room, throughout the the rest of the sport or all through the next week, the evaluation discovered. However, the workforce doctor didn’t study Tagovailoa’s again throughout his concussion examination, as a substitute counting on the sooner examination by different members of the medical employees. Back ache is usually a symptom of a concussion.

The league and NFLPA’s announcement brings to an finish a virtually two-week evaluation into Tagovailoa’s concussion verify, one which got here below elevated scrutiny after Tagovailoa was carted off the sphere in Cincinnati on a stretcher on Oct. 29, 4 days after hitting his head towards the Bills. The NFLPA initiated the investigation shortly after the Bills sport.

On a number of events, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel defended the choice to play Tagovailoa, saying he was cleared by a number of medical professionals, together with the unaffiliated neurotrauma advisor.

The advisor concerned in Tagovailoa’s concussion verify throughout the Bills sport was fired by the NFLPA, a supply informed the Miami Herald, after the union discovered the particular person made a number of errors within the analysis. According to NFL Network, the union exercised its proper to fireside the advisor and cited a number of causes, together with “failure to understand his role and hostility during the investigation.”

Tagovailoa has been dominated out for the Dolphins’ Week 5 highway sport towards the New York Jets on Sunday. McDaniel gave no timetable on a return for Tagovailoa, who didn’t journey with the workforce however was within the follow facility this week. Teddy Bridgewater will begin for Tagovailoa.