Until a week ago, it seemed like the end of Tua Tagovailoa’s career was imminent. After suffering the third concussion of his professional career, many speculated that the Miami Dolphins quarterback was on the verge of announcing his retirement. However, recent revelations indicate that Tagovailoa is not ready to hang up his cleats.
The scene caused concern among Dolphins fans: Tagovailoa, surrounded by Miami players and medical staff after a head-to-head collision with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
The Dolphins signal-caller had to leave the field to receive medical attention and later left the stadium to undergo a complete evaluation. Hours later, reports confirmed what everyone feared: Tagovailoa had suffered a new concussion, and his future in the NFL was up in the air.
Speculation multiplied in the following days amid silence from the player and the team. However, this Sunday, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport put an end to the rumors by revealing what the young quarterback’s future is.
Tua has not given up
In his segment for NFL Game Day, Rapoport revealed, “Tua Tagovailoa has no plans to retire, sources say,” partially stopping the rumors about the future of the Dolphins quarterback.
Tagovailoa took his destiny into his own hands, assured the analyst, and is already seeking the best professional help in search of returning to the field. “He’s already begun seeing concussion specialists and will continue to do so, but there is no timeline to return,”Rapoport explained.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed that the quarterback has already sought help from specialists and reported that he has his first appointment with a neurologist this coming week.
“Tagovailoa will be seeking their input into the severity of his latest concussion and the cumulative effect of the ones he has suffered in the past to make the most informed decision about his future,”Schefter’s sources said.
There is no timeline for his return
Rapoport and Schefter agreed that there is no timeline for Tua’s return to the fields. “Tua will be back when he and his doctors deem him healthy and ready,”Rapoport said.
This confirms what Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said this week. At a press conference, the Miami helmsman ruled out setting a date for his star’s return, as he does not want to put that kind of pressure on him.
“First and foremost, I’m not assessing the injury through the lens of, ‘Alright, so what does this mean for him playing?’ Really, for me, I know the facts are that it’s important that he gets healthy day by day,” McDaniel said of the quarterback’s possible return.
Tagovailoa has shown unwavering determination throughout his career, and this wouldn’t be the first time he’s overcome the probabilities and made a comeback that breaks the odds. However, everyone agrees that his health comes first, and the final say will be his doctors’.
