Tag Archives: concussion

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Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol again

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Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Tagovailoa played every offensive snap in Sunday’s 26-20 loss to the Packers.
  • McDaniel said that Tagovailoa displayed symptoms and was placed in the protocol Monday.
  • Tagovailoa was previously in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury against the Bengals earlier this season. The circumstances surrounding that incident prompted the NFL to make adjustments to its concussion protocol.

Backstory

Tagovailoa was taken off the field on a stretcher in Week 4 after being slammed hard to the turf by Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou. He sustained head and neck injuries and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

The quarterback had been evaluated for an apparent head injury in the first half of the previous game but was allowed to come back in the second half. The NFL launched an investigation into the Dolphins’ handling of Tagovailoa’s Week 3 evaluation and ultimately adjusted the league’s protocol.

After being placed in the protocol earlier this season, Tagovailoa missed two games.

In the first half against the Packers on Sunday, Tagovailoa was 9-for-12 for 229 yards, one touchdown and zero interceptions. In the second half, he was 7-of-13 for 81 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Dolphins, 8-7, are second in the AFC East.

Tua makes right call entering concussion protocol

McDaniel told reporters that Tagovailoa met with doctors today and told them he had symptoms of a concussion. The last time he went through the protocol, it prompted the NFL to make a change to better protect players. But this time, Tagovailoa’s situation is much more representative of how players have to be their own advocates.

No one noticed Tagovailoa receive any questionable hits on Sunday. Not the concussion spotters, not the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants, and not his coaches or teammates. There is no foolproof way to prevent players from continuing to play through concussions because they often might not notice their symptoms until the game is over. As for the Dolphins’ playoff hopes, Teddy Bridgewater is a more than capable backup, but when backup quarterbacks have had to play this season, Miami has lost all three games. Without Tagovailoa, the Dolphins don’t pose much of a postseason threat. — Kahler

Evaluating the Dolphins’ playoff chances

After adjusting for the uncertainty of Tagovailoa’s status for the rest of the regular season and possibly the postseason, the Dolphins’ playoff projections fall 5.0%. These projections give him a 10% chance of playing in Week 17, and a 50% playing in any game after that. — Mock

Who steps up in Tua’s absence?

Teddy Bridgewater is a serviceable backup and the weapons on the Miami offense should make things easier for him. He’s been a little careless with the ball this season — three interceptions in 58 attempts — but he hasn’t started and finished a game yet this season.

Starter repetitions in practice should give him enough familiarity with his targets to keep his turnovers down and keep the Dolphins more than likely to grab a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs. — Mock

Required Reading

(Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)



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Sports

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa placed in NFL concussion protocol

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CNN
 — 

Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is in the NFL’s concussion protocol, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said at a Monday news conference.

The announcement comes a day after Tagovailoa played the entire game as the Dolphins lost to the Green Bay Packers. It is the second time this season the 24-year-old quarterback has landed in the concussion protocol.

It also comes several months after he was in the spotlight for apparent head injuries and the league and the players’ union agreed to update the protocol – the NFL’s policies for assessing and caring for players who sustain a concussion.

McDaniel said Monday afternoon that he had only found out “a couple hours ago” that Tagovailoa displayed concussion symptoms and had been placed in the league’s protocol by medical staff. He could not pinpoint a moment in Sunday’s game where Tagovailoa might have been injured.

It is unclear if Tagovailoa will be available to play this week against the New England Patriots, the coach said.

“I care very deeply about each and every player,” McDaniel said. “I take that seriously, so I just want him to get healthy and have peace of mind in that regard. That’s first and foremost, and then whatever the circumstances are after, you deal with after. It’s about the human being and making sure he’s squared away.”

Tagovailoa also was diagnosed with a concussion on September 29 after being sacked in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tagovailoa lay motionless on the field for several minutes before he was placed on a backboard and stretcher. He missed the team’s next two games.

That concussion came several days after Tagovailoa suffered an apparent head injury and was later allowed to continue playing in a game against the Buffalo Bills on September 25.

A concussion is a brain injury that happens after a hit to the head causes the organ to move back and forth inside the skull. But even after the brain itself stops shaking, there can be changes to the organ.

In October, Tagovailoa said he didn’t remember being taken off the field during the September 29 game.

“Getting carted off – I don’t remember that,” he said. “But I do remember the things that were going on when I was in the ambulance and then when I arrived at the hospital.”

He called the process of going through the protocol stressful.

“But all of it is done for player safety and I’m glad that I got to go through those things to understand more of the deals of concussions, and you know, the effects, long-term, short-term, things like that. I thought it was great I was able to go through that process and get cleared,” Tagovailoa said at the time.

The Dolphins occupy the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC, one game ahead of the Patriots. The Dolphins have two weeks left in their regular season.

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Sports

Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa back in concussion protocol

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5:17 PM ET

  • Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN

MIAMI — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has entered the NFL’s concussion protocol a day after the team’s loss Sunday to the Green Bay Packers, coach Mike McDaniel said.

McDaniel said Tagovailoa displayed and admitted to having concussion symptoms when he spoke with team doctors Monday and was immediately placed into the protocol. He added that he’s unsure on which play Tagovailoa might have initially suffered the concussion.

It marks the second time this season Tagovailoa has been placed into the protocol.

Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will take first-team snaps while Tagovailoa is out, but McDaniel said it’s too early to name a starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

“I just want guys to really be done right by, by the information we have, the science and all the medical expertise that we rely on,” McDaniel said. “I care very deeply about each and every player, I take that very serious. I just want him to get healthy and have peace of mind in that regard. … It’s about the human being and making sure he’s squared away.”

Tagovailoa previously entered the concussion protocol after the Dolphins’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4 and was hospitalized briefly then after his head hit the turf. He went on to miss the team’s next two games and returned in Week 7.

Tagovailoa had taken another hard hit four days before the Cincinnati game during a win over Buffalo. He appeared to show concussion symptoms but was evaluated and stayed in the game.

The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that any player who shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — sit out the remainder of a game.

Tagovailoa said in October that injuries like the one he suffered against the Bengals don’t weigh on him; it was the second time in his playing career that he was hospitalized for a football-induced injury, including the displaced hip he suffered during his final season at Alabama.

“I would say those kinds of things weigh more on my parents than they do for me, just with me being their son,” he said in October. “But I mean, I just want to go out there and do good — do good for our team, do right for this organization, do right for the guys inside the building that I see every day that work really hard. That’s all. I mean, I enjoy being here. I enjoy all the guys in the building. So when I’m not able to do something about it and help our team and our organization, then that just really sucks.”

Tagovailoa has set career highs this season in every major passing statistic, but the Dolphins have lost four straight games and are the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoff picture. They can secure their first playoff berth since 2016 if they win out, or if they win one game and the New York Jets lose one of their remaining games.

Miami plays the Patriots and the Jets to close out its regular-season schedule.

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Sports

Steelers QB Pickett to return from concussion vs. Raiders

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PITTSBURGH — After being sidelined with his second concussion in eight weeks, Steelers rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is expected to start against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday night. As of Monday afternoon, Pickett remained in the concussion protocol. But Tomlin said if the team practiced Monday, Pickett would be a full participant.

“I think he’s gotta check a box procedurally,” Tomlin said.

With Pickett sidelined Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Mitch Trubisky got the start and completed 17 of 22 passes for 179 yards, scoring a rushing touchdown.

“He did a really good job of taking care of the ball and playing within the game plan and planned approach that we have prescribed for that opponent,” Tomlin said. “He should be congratulated for that.”

Pickett will return in time for a frigid game — the 50th anniversary of the Immaculate Reception — Saturday night, when temperatures are expected to be around 8 degrees at kickoff with a wind chill estimated to be minus-4. Pickett’s five years of collegiate experience at Pitt, though, will help prepare him for Saturday night’s weather.

“I think that’s an example that we often cite when we analyze people in draft prep,” Tomlin said. “Diontae [Johnson] played at Toledo; he’s from Tampa, but he played at Toledo in that Wednesday night MAC-tion. That probably got him a little prepared. All the offensive guys — usually there’s a discussion of some kind in draft analysis of that exposure or what that might look like or if it might be an issue for them. Oftentimes it’s not a significant decision-maker but a variable certainly.”

But, Tomlin admitted, the weather could be a challenge and affect the team’s game plan.

“We’ll acknowledge that the weather could be significant on Saturday night and could play out in terms of how these two teams come together,” he said. “That’s life in the National Football League, and that’s specifically life in Pittsburgh, and so we won’t run from that. We’ll run to that.

“We gotta be an all-weather group. I think everybody that lives here and plays here understands and embraces that.”

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Chiefs WR JuJu Smith-Schuster enters concussion protocol

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter after entering the concussion protocol.

Smith-Schuster was going across the middle to catch a pass from Patrick Mahomes when Jaguars safety Andre Cisco hit him high, drawing flags from the officials.

The wide receiver was left motionless on the turf with his hands momentarily frozen in a scene reminiscent of the concussion suffered by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa earlier this season.

Smith-Schuster was eventually helped to his feet and walked off with assistance from teammate Travis Kelce.

While he was still motionless on the ground, referee Brad Rogers picked up the flag and announced there was no penalty, even though replays showed helmet-to-helmet contact.

The Chiefs’ leading wide receiver this season (46 receptions, 615 yards), Smith-Schuster had two catches for 33 yards against the Jaguars.

Kansas City also lost right tackle Andrew Wylie for the game because of an elbow injury, while backup cornerback Chris Lammons was ruled out after entering the concussion protocol.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sports

Kelly Stafford “Angry” After NFL Husband Enters Concussion Protocol

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For Kelly Stafford, the NFL is so much more than just a game.

On Nov. 9, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed to reporters that quarterback Matthew Stafford has entered the concussion protocol. Hours later, his wife reacted to the news and explained why the development brings so many emotions.

“If you follow NFL, you just heard Matthew got put into concussion protocol,” Kelly wrote on The Morning After podcast’s Instagram Stories. “If you have listened to my podcast at all, you know how a big a deal it is to me. The head is not something to be messed with…and I hope as this sport develops, so does the concern for head health and the research around it.”

“And no, I’m not ok,” she continued. “I have every emotion running through me. Concerned, angry, sad, tired…all of them.” 

In his latest press conference, Sean told reporters that he didn’t have any indication Matthew was dealing with concussion symptoms during the Rams’ Nov. 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But after the Super Bowl champion was examined by medical staff, he was asked to follow protocol.



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Amon-Ra St. Brown did not suffer a concussion, was removed because of new protocol

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The Lions announced during Sunday’s game against the Cowboys that wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had been ruled out with a concussion, but today the team said St. Brown actually did not suffer a concussion.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell said today that St. Brown was removed from the game because of the new league rule that all players who exhibit ataxia, which is poor muscle control that causes clumsy movements, are automatically taken out of the game. Campbell said medical staff watched tape of St. Brown’s motion on the field and took him out.

“They look at the video, and so when the video, plus what they saw there, it’s automatically you’re out now,” Campbell said.

Campbell said St. Brown will remain in the concussion protocol and continue to be evaluated, but from all indications he’ll be clear to play on Sunday against the Dolphins.

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Sports

Cowboys vs. Lions score: Live updates, game stats, highlights, analysis; Amon-Ra St. Brown suffers concussion

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We’re at halftime between the Cowboys and Lions’ Week 7 matchup, and it’s Dallas holding a 6-3 lead in Dak Prescott’s return to the lineup. 

Dallas had two chances to punch the ball in for a touchdown, only to kick a field goal from the 2-yard line on the first. They also turned the ball over when Noah Brown fumbled inside the 5-yard line on a strike from Prescott late in the second quarter. Prior to the Brown fumble, running back Ezekiel Elliott looked to have suffered a serious knee injury, but managed to walk to the sideline, and even tried to return to the game. Prescott completed 9 of 14 passes for 104 yards in his first action since getting injuring his thumb in Week 1.

Detroit managed two field goal drives in the first half, but lost Amon-Ra St. Brown to a concussion on its second drive of the game. Jared Goff went 10 of 12 for 85 yards, working mostly in the underneath areas of the field.

Will the Cowboys’ offense get on track in the second half, or will the Lions pull off the upset on the road? We’ll find out the answers to this question and many more soon enough. In the meantime, keep it locked to our live blog throughout the rest of the day as we update you with stats, scores, and highlights. 

How to watch

Date: Sunday, Oct. 23 | Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas)
TV: CBS | Stream: Paramount+ (click here)  
Follow: CBS Sports App 
Odds: Cowboys -6.5, O/U 48.5 (courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook)

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Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa out of concussion protocol

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was cleared from concussion protocol Saturday, a source said, but he will not play this week against the Minnesota Vikings.

Tagovailoa is expected to return for the Dolphins’ Week 7 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source said.

Tagovailoa has not played since leaving the field on a stretcher after suffering a concussion in Week 4 when he was spun to the ground and hit his head on the turf. That tackle was similar to one from a week before, after which Tagovailoa appeared unsteady on his feet but was allowed to return to the game after clearing concussion testing.

After Tagovailoa suffered the Week 4 concussion, the quarterback, his team of independent doctors and the Dolphins followed a thorough process that far exceeded the NFL’s concussion protocol, sources said. He received four outside opinions, in addition to the opinions of team doctors, who unanimously cleared him from the protocol, and all agreed that his scans showed no signs of long-term impact to the brain. This is a best-case scenario for the quarterback who was off to a impressive start to the 2022 season.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel ruled Tagovailoa out on Wednesday, saying he wasn’t comfortable making him active after going two weeks without any football activity.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was also cleared from concussion protocol Saturday, sources said. He will be active Sunday, but will back up rookie Skylar Thompson, a seventh-round draft pick who will be making his first career start.

Thompson completed 16 of 33 passes for 166 yards and an interception in relief of Bridgewater against the New York Jets last week, but his first career NFL action included returning to the sideline without any teammate who played his position waiting for him.

With Bridgewater expected to operate as his backup Sunday and Tagovailoa roaming the sideline, Thompson’s first start should have a different feel to it.

“They’ve helped me a lot,” Thompson said. “Whether they’ve vocally said something to me to teach me something or whatnot, they’ve taught me a ton through their actions and the way they carry themselves, the way they prepare. I’m very, very grateful for those guys.”

ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques contributed to this report.

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Teddy Bridgewater: NFL’s new concussion protocol triggered Miami Dolphins QB’s removal Sunday, team says

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CNN
 — 

Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took a big hit Sunday and was unable to return to the game because of the new concussion protocol that went into effect the same day, making Bridgewater one of the first players to be sidelined under the new rules.

Bridgewater suffered a blow to the head during his first snap of the game when he was tackled to the ground after throwing the ball. The Dolphins tweeted that he was evaluated for injuries to both his head and elbow and later announced he was ruled out of the game.

“Basically what happened was a spotter saw him [Bridgewater] stumble, and under the new rules and changes he is ruled out and placed in the protocol,” said Mike McDaniel, Dolphins head coach. “He doesn’t have any symptoms and he’s passed his evaluation but he’ll be now, under the new regulations, in the concussion protocol.”

Bridgewater was starting in place of Tua Tagovailoa, who was also placed on concussion protocol.

CNN has reached out to the Miami Dolphins for more information. The National Football League uses ATC spotters, who are independent certified athletic trainers, to monitor all games. The spotters “serve as another set of eyes, watching for possible injuries at every NFL game,” according to NFL Football Operations.

Stumbling is a considered a sign of ataxia as it demonstrates impaired motor function. The league defines ataxia as “abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue.”

The protocol modification announced by the NFL and NFL Player’s Association Saturday said a player showing signs of ataxia while being evaluated for a concussion would be prohibited from returning to the game.

The protocols were updated Saturday in an agreement between the league and the NFLPA, coming in response to the injury of Tagovailoa. The 24-year-old was injured during the September 25 game against the Buffalo Bills, but was able to return to play despite appearing awkward on his feet and stumbling over himself.

Four days later, on September 29, Tagovailoa was slammed to the ground by Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou. The quarterback’s arms and fingers immediately contorted into a gruesome position known as the “fencing response,” a sign of brain injury, and he lay motionless on the field for several minutes.

He was ultimately placed on a backboard and stretcher and taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion.

The NFLPA launched a review into the handling of Tagovailoa’s injury and terminated the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who was involved in Tagovailoa’s concussion evaluation.

In the aftermath of the Tagovailoa saga, more players have been ruled out of games.

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts running back, was ruled out for the rest of Thursday’s game against the Denver Broncos with a concussion. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers tight end, was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints wide receiver, was also ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.



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