In the perspective of Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, the health and welfare of quarterback Tua Tagvailoa is of greater importance than his football career prospects.
Tua Tagovailoa suffered an injury in the third quarter of the 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, occurring after a head collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. At Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Tagovailoa, aged 26, remained on the ground before being attended to by Dolphins trainers. Despite this, he was able to leave the field under his own power and was replaced by backup Skylar Thompson.
McDaniel informed reporters on Friday that Tagovailoa was asleep when he tried to contact him earlier in the day, and that the quarterback would have his initial post-incident meeting with medical specialists later that day.
"It's crucial for him to regain his health day by day," McDaniel stressed during a video conference. "The best way for me to contribute to this is by not analyzing the situation from a football perspective yet."
This marks the third instance of a concussion in Tagovailoa's NFL career. McDaniel refused to discuss the gravity of Tagovailoa's current concussion or provide a potential return date.
"There's no need to estimate the seriousness of it," McDaniel clarified. "Research on concussions has revealed that the first few days post-injury are crucial, and additional tension sources should be avoided."
McDaniel cautioned against setting expectations, stating that such speculation would only add to the pressure.
"Setting timelines can cause unnecessary anxiety," he cautioned. "Attempting to meet them, analyzing the implications for gameplay, and assessing the situation—this is intense material. You must approach coaching Tua cautiously and attentively."
McDaniel promptly dismissed queries regarding Tagovailoa's retirement considerations.
"I believe it would be inappropriate to even broach that topic," McDaniel responded. "We're discussing his entire career, aren't we? His career is his to manage."
"Tua is the most important individual in this scenario," McDaniel underscored later. "His personal opinions and career objectives, combined with neuroscience experts' insights, are the determining factors."
McDaniel expressed his commitment to making the best decisions for Tagovailoa, acknowledging the unconventional nature of the approach.
"I am highly motivated to ensure that the person in question receives the proper care," McDaniel reaffirmed. "While not ideal, this extends beyond just business."
Regarding the future of the Dolphins, McDaniel confirmed that Thompson would be administering starts in Week 3, yet they remained open to bringing another quarterback onto the roster.
"The team and organization have complete faith in Thompson," McDaniel stated. "This is why he served as our backup quarterback."
At 41 years old, McDaniel has overseen the Dolphins since the start of the 2022 NFL season, amassing a 21-15 record and leading the team to playoff appearances in the two subsequent seasons.
McDaniel also confronted challenges during his tenure, such as Tyreek Hill being taken into custody by police prior to the team's opening match last week.
The Dolphins are scheduled for their next game on September 22, when they visit Seattle to play against the Seahawks.
In light of his third concussion in his NFL career, it's essential for Tua Tagovailoa to focus on his health and recovery, as highlighted by head coach Mike McDaniel. McDaniel emphasized the significance of not analyzing the situation from a football perspective yet, to avoid adding unnecessary pressure.
