Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion Concerns Raise Questions About His NFL Future

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's latest concussion has sparked debate about whether he should consider retiring from football. The 26-year-old has suffered three confirmed concussions since entering the NFL, raising concerns about the long-term health risks.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's NFL career has been marred by a series of concussions, with his latest head injury raising serious concerns about his long-term health. The 26-year-old has now suffered three confirmed concussions since entering the NFL, prompting calls from former players and medical experts for him to consider retirement.

Tagovailoa's latest concussion occurred during the Dolphins' 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the first "Thursday Night Football" game of the season. He collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin in the second half, resulting in a traumatic brain injury that forced him to leave the game.

Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion Concerns Raise Questions About His NFL Future

Neuroscientist Chris Nowinski, a former professional wrestler who also played college football at Harvard, weighed in on Tagovailoa's situation, highlighting the severity of his injury and the potential long-term consequences.

"Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question," Nowinski wrote on Twitter. "His right arm shows the 'fencing posture' indicating loss of consciousness & is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game."

Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion Concerns Raise Questions About His NFL Future

Former NFL players, including Dez Bryant and Shannon Sharpe, have also expressed their concerns about Tagovailoa's health, urging him to retire from football to protect his longevity and well-being.

"Really hope Tua is ok, but he’s gotta seriously think about shutting it dwn," Sharpe wrote on social media. "I H8 saying this. His concussions are getting worse and worse and he’s a young man with his entire life ahead of him."

Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion Concerns Raise Questions About His NFL Future

However, Nowinski stopped short of calling on Tagovailoa to end his football career, emphasizing the importance of his recovery from his most recent head injury.

"There is no magic number of concussions to require retirement," he said. "It all depends on how he recovers from this one, but having too many concussions can lead to chronic symptoms and mental health disorders. He’s in a very tough spot."

The Dolphins are planning to add another quarterback to their roster while Tagovailoa works through his concussion, with backup Skylar Thompson expected to start in his absence when Miami faces the Seattle Seahawks on September 22.

The latest concussion suffered by Tagovailoa underscores the growing concern about the long-term effects of head injuries in football and the need for players to prioritize their health and well-being. While Tagovailoa's future in the NFL remains uncertain, the calls for him to consider retirement are a reminder of the serious risks associated with the game.