There’s no denying the fact that one of the biggest topics surrounding the NFL has been Tua Tagovailoa, his injuries, and where he’ll end up.
Over the past few months, we’ve not only shared weekly NFL mock drafts that showed where he could potentially end up, but we’ve also shared how Tagovailoa has been progressing throughout his recovery.
Tua has made it clear that he’s 100% and ready to go, but there are still teams who question how healthy he is, and if he truly is injury prone.
Tua joined former Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley who is now the head coach at Maryland, on Instagram Live. During the interview, this is what Tua had to say:
“I’m not playing badminton. I’m not on the swim team. Football is a physical sport. You’re gonna get hurt. That just comes with it. And it was just very unfortunate that I got hurt every season. It’s a part of the game. It’s a contact sport. I can only control what I can control. I can’t control that.”
Ad former NFL doctor Davod Chao took to twitter to not only defend Tagovailoa and what he said, but he also shared how deeming Tua “injury prone” is unfair, and untrue.
I don't understand or agree with the "injury prone" talk related to @Tuaamann or most players. With #StayAtHome, free time to start a thread. https://t.co/coeYKxLspY
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
To me, "injury prone" means an athlete is more likely to get hurt than another put in the exact same situation. I don't believe that to be the case for @Tuaamann or most athletes.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Any player tackled with knee caught on ground with hip flexed and internally rotated with 2 players jumping on his back as TUA was can suffer a hip dislocation. This is a "car accident" type force that no human can with withstand.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Yes, @Tuaamann has had 3 surgeries (hip and both ankles) in last 2 years but the ankle surgeries were unusual/unique. https://t.co/uZD5pgfpWQ
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Tua's recovery from high ankle sprain surgery was quick with minimal missed time. Even @PatrickMahomes had 2 high ankle sprains this past season (Week 1 and 5, see https://t.co/dFDT8os6QG)
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Tua's supposed "wrist fractures" did not happen. He did break his finger in past but that is an occupational hazard. Just this season alone, I am aware of at least 5 NFL QBs with significant digit injuries including @Jaboowins, @drewbrees and more.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Medically, @Tuaamann is not injury prone. Can he be called "prone to injury? That is a different question. Have talked about how mobile QBs who extend plays take on more risk vs. #PhilipRivers & his record health streak (even he has had injuries just has been able to play thru).
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Learning to live to fight another day is something all QBs need to learn. See @JimmyG_10 who tore his ACL trying to get extra yards and has learned. Tua will be no different.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
I feel it is disrespectful to label a professional athlete "Injury prone" without solid medical evidence as all the ones I know work hard at their craft and beyond team support, pay out of pocket for other injury prevention services.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Injuries happen when everything is done correctly just like sometimes interceptions happen when the right throw is made. Luck is a big component as the ball is not round and funny bounces happen.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
No question the hip is a big injury and so far things look promising. The ankles and finger are non issues
My anaylsis is @Tuaamann is not injury prone.— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
I am no GM, but medically speaking, if @Tuaamann was the consensus top pick of the draft before the hip injury, he should still be near the top of the board now. (end of thread)
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Full dislocsure: I have not examined/treated @Tuaamann. When I met him at #SB54, he impressed me and I am rooting for him. I base my thoughts off having evaluated NFL players for 2 decades including 20 Combines in Indianapolis. pic.twitter.com/Dc4LmxvscZ
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Chao, who is an internationally known sports medicine expert, has been practicing orthopedic surgery in San Diego, California. He was also the former head team physician for the San Diego Chargers (1997-2013), where he specialized in orthopedic sports injuries. If you check out his website, you can see that he also performs procedures on many parts of the body, including the hip, which gives Chao the ability to share his opinion in such a matter.
Time will tell what teams are willing to give Tua a chance to prove he’s truly 100%.
For the season, Tagovailoa threw for 2,840 yards, 33 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
In his career at Alabama, Tagovailoa racked up 7,442 yards passing, 87 TDs, and 11 INTs.
The NFL Draft will take place from April 23-25th.
Roll Tide Wire will keep you up to date on the very latest.