Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel defended his decision to play Tua Tagovailoa against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday (NZ time), as the quarterback left on a stretcher due to a head injury days after he cleared concussion protocols during a Monday game.
The 24-year-old was sacked by Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou in the first half and appeared to hit the back of his head on the turf.
Fans were left horrified as his fingers briefly contorted into a "fencing posture" and he remained on the ground for a few minutes as trainers attended to him and carried him off the field.
He was taken to the hospital but released Friday night and McDaniel confirmed that he flew home with the team, experiencing persistent headaches that had not abated as of Saturday morning. He was expected to undergo an MRI on Saturday
The Dolphins lost the game 27-15 for their first defeat of the season.
The injury amplified fierce criticism over the decision to play him Friday, after he was also evaluated for a concussion on Monday during the Dolphins' win over the Buffalo Bills.
He looked unsteady as he left the field but passed the league-mandated concussion protocol at halftime and was allowed to return to the game. He was determined not to have suffered a head injury.
McDaniels said Tagovailoa was cleared by "several layers of medical professionals" after the hit on Monday.
"Those people - the collection of them - cleared him of any head injury whatsoever and he had a back and ankle issue," he said. "So in terms of deciding whether or not to play a guy on a game, on a Thursday night game, I'm concerned about his lower back and his ankle and putting them in harm's way.
"I have 100 percent conviction in our process with regarding our players - this is a player-friendly organization."
The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) said after Monday's game it was initiating an investigation into the handling of the concussion evaluation, while the NFL said a review was ongoing but every indication was that proper protocol had been followed.
"Player health and safety is at the core of the union's mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery," the NFLPA said.
NFLPA President JC Tretter said on Friday that the organisation would move to "hold those responsible accountable" for the decision to let Tagovailoa play and suggested it may be necessary to amend existing protocols.
On Saturday, Tagovailoa took to social media to thank the public and the Dolphins for their support.
"It was difficult to not be able to finish the game and be there with my teammates, but I am grateful for the support and care I’ve received from the Dolphins, my friends and family, and all the people who have reached out," he said on Instagram.
"I'm feeling much better and focused on recovering so I can get back out on the field with my teammates.
"We need to figure out how and why the decisions were made last Sunday to allow a player with a 'no-go' symptom back on the field," Tretter said on Twitter.
The Dolphins did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
NFL Chief Medical Officer Allen Sills said in an interview with NFL.com that all gameday concussion evaluations are done by both a team physician and an independent neuro-consultant with no affiliation to the team.
"We're still doing a very active review of the entire situation," he said. "There are very serious consequences if the protocol is determined not to have been followed."
He added that the review needed to finish before the league should make "any determination" on changing concussion protocols.
"If we feel like we need to make adjustments collectively with the players union, we're absolutely committed to that," Sills said.
Reuters.
