Tua Tagovailoa has ‘no plans to retire’ after suffering another frightening concussion
Tua Tagovailoa’s latest scary concussion isn’t deterring his desire to return to the football field.
The Dolphins quarterback “has no plans to retire,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning, after leaving Miami’s Thursday loss to the Bills, two years after he was stretchered off with a frightening concussion — also on a Thursday night.
Tagovailoa is already eyeing a return, Rapoport reported, and has already begun seeing specialists.
The 26-year-old was injured Thursday when he lowered his head rushing for a first down and was tackled by Bills safety Damar Hamlin, prompting a fencing response. He was able to walk off the field.
Tagovailoa’s Week 4 concussion in 2022 came four days after there were concerns about his head after he wobbled upon getting up from the ground.
He then was confirmed to have suffered a second concussion later that season in a Christmas game against the Packers.
Tagovailoa has four documented concussions; he suffered one during his final season with Alabama in 2019.
His latest brain injury has sparked concern in the NFL world, with some feeling he should walk away from the game.
Tua Tagovailoa concussion fallout
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- Why fencing position has medical experts concerned
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“To me, it seems like a no-brainer, honestly,” Tony Gonzalez said on Amazon’s postgame show regarding Tagovailoa retiring. “I try to put myself in that situation, that’s what we do as players. Injuries, it’s an unfortunate part of this game. … This is something that can affect you long-term.
“For me, it’s one of those, ‘I had a great career, time to move on.’”
Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce also said he’d “tell him to retire,” adding “it’s not worth it” for Tagovailoa to continue playing.
“Played the game, I haven’t witnessed anything like I’ve seen that’s happened to him three times. Scary,” Pierce told reporters Friday. “You can see right away, the players’ faces on the field. You can see the sense of urgency to get Tua help. I just think that at some point, you know, he’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football. Take care of your family.”
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with the Dolphins in July, getting $167.2 million guaranteed after throwing for 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 17 games last season en route to his first Pro Bowl nod.
Skylar Thompson will be Miami’s quarterback while Tagovailoa is out.
