Tua Tagovailoa has been at the center of a growing NFL controversy ever since suffering a concussion in Week 2. Now, NFL Chief Medical Officer Allen Sills has added a new twist by revealing just how limited the league’s power is in forcing a player like Tagovailoa to retire.
The NFL has long been under scrutiny for its concussion protocols. On one side, former players and medical experts call for stricter rules to prevent these types of injuries. On the other side, fans, media, and active players are concerned about preserving the high-impact excitement of the game.
Tagovailoa’s concussion, sustained during the Miami Dolphins’ matchup against the Buffalo Bills, has reignited the debate. He has become prone to these injuries, suffering three concussions in the last three years, including the most recent one three weeks ago.
Despite the serious long-term risks linked to concussions, Sills, a neurosurgeon, emphasized that neither the league nor the Dolphins have much control over Tagovailoa’s career decisions.
NFL’s position
On Friday, the NFL reported 44 concussions during the 2024 preseason (including games and practices), marking the lowest number since 2015 and a 25% drop from 2023.
However, this news hasn’t eased concerns among those who want the league to enforce even stricter concussion protocols, especially considering the delicate situation with the Dolphins’ quarterback.
In response, Sills clarified that the NFL cannot unilaterally decide whether Tagovailoa, or any other player, will return to the field following a concussion. “Patient autonomy and medical decision-making really matter, and that’s what we have to respect in our concussion protocol,” Sills explained.
He emphasized that career decisions must be rooted in “autonomy generated from discussions with medical experts offering their best advice.”
The limitations of the concussion protocol
Sills also highlighted that there’s no exact formula to predict whether a player will suffer another concussion. Many factors come into play beyond the number of previous concussions, including the duration of symptoms and the time between injuries.
He pointed out that the player’s personal input is crucial: “We need to listen to the patient’s voice regarding where they are in their journey, their career, and their age, among other factors.”
Medical professionals use these evaluations to provide an informed guess about a player’s future risk of concussions, but “at the end of the day, it’s just that-a guess,” he added.
Tagovailoa, who has consulted top medical experts, has already confirmed that he does not plan to retire, despite his recent concussion. The Dolphins have announced that he is set to return in Week 8. While he is reportedly symptom-free, questions about his long-term future remain.
