Cincinnati Bengals ' 27-15 win over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night was marred by an injury to Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who left the field on a stretcher.
The Miami QB was listed as questionable before the game after picking up an injury against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but started anyway despite fears over his health. The 24-year-old stumbled off the field against the Bills after being hit by linebacker Matt Milano and knocked to the floor.
It looked as though Tagovailoa had suffered a concussion, but Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and the QB himself insisted that it was the back trouble that was the issue. But this time there was no doubt in the matter as Tagovailoa's head planted into the ground after a tough sack, and the QB has been seriously warned.
There was speculation over what injury Tagovailoa had sustained on Sunday, but the Dolphins star was cleared to play against the Bengals anyway. The QB suffered a horror hit on Thursday night, and was sent straight to the trauma unit at Cincinnati University.
The scenes were terrifying as Tagovailoa was stretchered off the field, especially after the unfortunate events that occurred on Sunday. The Miami QB was the topic of conversation during Undisputed on Friday, with Skip Bayless and former NFL player Shannon Sharpe agreeing that it should not be up to the player if they participate, stressing that safety should be the primary concern.
If Tagovailoa had suffered a concussion on Sunday, there's no way he'd be allowed to play the following Thursday. But the hosts were sceptical that the Miami QB may have directed attention to another injury, in order to still make the cut.
Sharpe explained: "You have to protect the players from themselves. Players will lie to play because they don't want to let their team-mates down, their brothers down, they will lie. I believe that Tua lied and said it was his back and his ankle to escape protocol." There is, however, no indication Tagovailoa misled anyone over his health in an attempt to play on Thursday, with the decision being made in-house.
Tagovailoa's game didn't last very long as during the first half he was chased down and thrown to the turf by Cincinnati’s Josh Tupou. Tagovailoa's head and neck smacked into the ground, which ended his night instantly.
The quarterback's fingers appeared to seize up, in a scary reaction to the impact. But this was spotted by Sharpe's co-host Bayless, who gave a thorough analysis of the situation, and what it meant.
"His fingers seized up, and the first thing that I thought as I could see his left hand was that he fell on his throwing hand and busted a finger. I thought maybe it was broken sideways and thought 'I hope it's not a compound fracture', but that's what it looked like.
"I've never in all my years seen that happen. But when dealing with the spine, if you injure the cervical region which is up in your neck, it's going to shoot down your arms and affect your hands.
"It's the same if you injure the bottom, it shoots down your legs. So the tell-tale sign is, if your hands seize up and it looks like you're spasming then it's a cervical injury. It's beyond a concussion because you have hurt your neck.
"So, what do they do? They stretcher him, they ambulance him, they take him straight to the university of Cincinnati trauma unit for head and neck injuries and thankfully they found nothing I guess. They reportedly completely cleared him, discharged him and he got to fly home with the team.
"But I'm not thankful for the concussion at all, I'm not thankful for any protocol because it was stunning to me that he was cleared to play in this football game. Even off the back or the ankle if we even believe it was only that!"
Neck injuries and concussions hit home for Sharpe, as his brother was forced into an early retirement after sustaining similar injuries. Sterling Sharpe was tipped to be a hall of famer during his staggering rise in the NFL, but retired aged 29.
Skip raised the point, as he said: "Big brother of Shannon Sharpe, had to quit prematurely. What happened? Neck injury. Sterling Sharpe was 29. He was something, on a hall of fame path."
And his co-host replied: "Yes, seven years, went to the pro bowl five times, led the league in touchdowns twice, led the league in receptions three times. Retired at 29. Doctor said he wouldn't let him play on.
"His last season, he had over 1000 yards receiving, 18 touchdowns, and never caught another pass. Last game he had three touchdowns, 122 yards, and that was it."
Fans are already protesting online about the concussion protocols within the league, and it's yet to be seen if Tagovailoa will be in contention to play in week five. Regardless of if he plays, HC McDaniel will certainly face more questioning.
