Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has no plans to retire after latest concussion – NFL Network

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has no intention of retiring despite recently suffering another concussion, according to sources reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Tagovailoa was injured during the Dolphins’ 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Thursday. The concussion occurred when he was hit by Bills safety Damar Hamlin while attempting to secure a first down.

At 26 years old, Tagovailoa has a concerning history with concussions. He experienced multiple head injuries during the 2022 NFL season and admitted earlier this year that he had considered stepping away from football due to the cumulative impact of these injuries. However, Rapoport indicated that Tagovailoa’s current focus is on recovery and returning to the field when he is ready. It’s anticipated that he may miss several games as part of this process.

Tagovailoa is now consulting with a concussion specialist, following a protocol similar to previous injuries. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the importance of focusing on Tagovailoa’s day-to-day health rather than speculating about the broader implications of his injuries. McDaniel noted that the primary concern is Tagovailoa’s well-being and that decisions will be guided by his and the doctors’ assessments, rather than external opinions.

Regarding retirement speculation, McDaniel clarified that it would be inappropriate to consider such a topic without input from Tagovailoa and medical professionals. He stressed the need to avoid adding unnecessary stress during the recovery period.

Tagovailoa had a standout performance last season, leading the Dolphins to the playoffs and securing a four-year contract extension in the offseason worth approximately $212.4 million. In last week’s game at Hard Rock Stadium, despite the injury, Tagovailoa walked off the field with assistance and was replaced by backup quarterback Skylar Thompson.

Following the latest concussion, there have been calls for Tagovailoa to consider retirement. Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce voiced concerns, stating, “It’s not worth to play the game,” and noting the visible distress among players and staff when the injury occurred.

Conversely, former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who experienced a stroke at 31 but returned to play in the NFL, expressed support for Tagovailoa’s decision to continue his career. Bruschi highlighted the importance of how players finish their careers and acknowledged that Tagovailoa’s desire to continue competing is a significant factor. Bruschi empathized with Tagovailoa’s situation and stated, “You have your own ending up here in your mind. Tua still wants to win and he still wants to have a career, and I would support him if he wanted to come back.”

The Dolphins (1-1) are set to face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sunday. As Tagovailoa navigates his recovery, the team and fans alike will be watching closely to see how his return to the field unfolds.