Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been placed in concussion protocol in his latest serious head scare after suffering two in quick succession earlier this year.
In October, Tagovailoa was told by Dr Bennet Omalu, the first doctor to discover findings on chromic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American Football players, that he should retire immediately after two concussions in five days.
Tagovailoa shockingly suffered what looked to be a severe concussion on a Thursday night loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, just days after many believed him to have suffered one in the win over Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins and the NFL alike were highly-criticised for their handling of the situation, with a number of world-renowned neuroscientists warning of the dangers of having two concussions in a short space of time.
The Hawaiian quarterback then returned to action two weeks later, and has resumed the rest of the season, but has now been placed in concussion protocol - a day after the Dolphins loss to the Green Bay Packers. Concerningly, Tagovailoa played the whole game against the Packers, suggesting he suffered a head injury and continued to play in the loss.
If players are suspected to have suffered a concussion, they are immediately pulled from the game and are to be in protocol for at least five days before being tested to see if they're able to play that following weekend - with the vast majority of players being held out of the game.
But former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III has said that Tagovailoa should not play again this season.
He said: "When we talk about these head injuries, it's nothing to play with. You've go to put the person ahead of the player. I'm more concerned about Tua and his longevity with life than I am about whether he's gonna play on Sunday. He should not play for the rest of the season."
With the Dolphins still in a race for the playoffs, it would be somewhat of a surprise if the team voluntarily sat their starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
After Tagovailoa's second concussion, neuroscientist Chris Nowinski tweeted: "This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022."
