Tagovailoa's first concussion scare came in the second quarter against the Bills in September
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Tua Tagovailoa clears concussion protocol after more than month there
Daily Mail
2/1/2023
More than a month after entering concussion protocol, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared it after a season that saw him miss extensive time with head injuries.
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with concussions in Week 4 and Week 16, and the first came just four days after he appeared extremely disoriented following a hit vs. the Bills.
Between those two (diagnosed) head injuries, Tagovailoa missed most of six games, including the team's wild card matchup against Buffalo in the playoffs.
The news of him clearing the concussion protocol was reported first by NFL Network.
The 24-year-old entered the protocol for the second time this season on December 26 after suffering a concussion during the Dolphins' loss to the Packers on Christmas Day.
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Tua Tagovailoa has been cleared from the concussion protocol after his latest concussion
The team purposefully extended his time in protocol to allow him to meet with multiple doctors and specialists, according to ESPN .
Tagovailoa was named a first alternate to next week's Pro Bowl but will not participate despite clearing the protocols in time.
The NFL and NFLPA conducted two joint reviews into how the quarterback's head injuries were handled, with an unaffiliated neurological consultant (who cleared him to play in Week 3) being fired as a result of the first probe.
In December, Tagovailoa's head slammed off the Hard Rock Stadium turf in the second quarter of the Week 16 game, but he was not examined or removed from the game, prompting an inquiry into the situation.
The NFL and the players' union have cleared the team of any wrongdoing over the diagnosis of Tagovailoa's latest concussion.
Medical experts are said to be confident that the quarterback can resume his NFL career next season and he is expected to return as the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback in the 2023 season, despite his concussion woes.
'Tua Tagovailoa is our starting quarterback,' general manager Chris Grier said. 'Talking to doctors, we fully expect him back next year 100 percent.'
His parents also insisted that the starting quarterback will return for the next season.
Daily Mail
