NFLPA initiating review of concussion protocol after Tagovailoa returned to game

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NFLPA initiating review of concussion protocol after Tua Tagovailoa returned to game

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 9/25/22

The NFLPA has reportedly told the NFL that it wants to initiate a review of the league's concussion protocols after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Under the 2020 CBA, the NFLPA, NFL Management Council or any player has the right (independently or collectively) to bring forward a complaint about an alleged failure to follow concussion protocol, to be investigated and resolved by the union and management council.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 25, 2022

Late in the first half Tagovailoa was seen stumbling to the ground after taking a big hit from Bills linebacker Matt Milano.

He left the game, with the Dolphins officially saying that he left the game with a head injury and would be questionable to return.

But when the second half began Tagovailoa was back under center for Miami and helped lead them to a 21-19 win over the Bills. It was a decision that seemed baffling given how Tagovailoa looked after taking the hit.

It was at that point that the narrative around the injury started to change. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said his understanding was that Tagovailoa "tweaked" his back earlier in the game and the hit from Milano aggravated it, which is similar to what Tagovailoa said after the game.

In the end, all we know is that the Dolphins initially called it a head injury and the NFLPA seems to be questioning whether or not the concussion policy was not correctly followed.

More must-reads: