As the first quarter of the season comes to a close, the 3-1 Miami Dolphins currently sit atop the AFC, yet it comes with heavy cost and controversy. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is already ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets, and that comes with little or no surprise.
Miami’s last two games, which came with just three full days in between, saw Tagovailoa knocked out from the game. Back in Week 3 against the Bills, Tagovailoa was hit, landed on his back and it was noticeable that his head bounced off the ground.
Noticeably woozy, as we all saw, he lost his balance upon getting up and needed to be helped off the field, as he looked obviously shaken up from the hit. Following a thrilling win, he later told media that it was a back and ankle injury that caused his stumble, as the speculation of a concussion was everyone’s first guess.
Just days later, in a primetime game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tagaovailoa was sacked and tossed backward during the tackle, causing another head hit to the ground, this time, with shocking and scary results that the country and parts of the world witnessed in real-time.
Tagovailoa had a terrifying reaction to the hit and trauma to the head, which caused what experts referred to as fencing, posturing of sorts when the body responds to a neurological injury.
It’s uncertain when he’ll return to the field, but positive signs started with his release from a Cincinnati trauma center that very night, and he was able to travel home with his teammates.
As important as this issue is, the Dolphins would be wise to take time in bringing Tagovailoa back to let him heal and literally get his mind right. From a football sense, Miami spent top-dollar on the backup position for a reason, as veteran Teddy Bridgewater will now be tasked with keeping the Dolphins’ seasons afloat as leaders in the division and the conference.
His first start with Miami will come against the AFC East rival New York Jets at MetLife Stadium, where a #MetLifeTakeover is heading to New Jersey.