Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, left Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals on a stretcher.
Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel described the situation as “frightening.” “He was diagnosed with a concussion and is currently through the concussion protocol. He was at the medical center. He may soon be released, in my opinion.”
The league union announced earlier this week that it will be looking into the Dolphins’ concussion evaluation procedure after Tagovailoa returned to the game after taking a severe hit in the first half of the team’s game against the Buffalo Bills on September 25.
When Tagovailoa was hit, the Dolphins initially thought he had a head injury, but McDaniel later changed his mind and stated Tagovailoa had a back issue, which he repeated Thursday night.
Consequently, how are teams meant to assess head injuries?
The NFL’s definition of a concussion
A traumatic brain injury caused by biomechanical forces is what the National Football League refers to as a concussion in sports.
According to the league, direct strikes to the head, face, neck, or any other part of the body that transmits force to the head can result in concussions.
Concussion symptoms include any loss of consciousness, seizures, delayed movement, problems with balance or motor coordination, a vacant expression, gripping the head, bewilderment, forgetfulness, or obvious facial injuries.
guidelines for concussions before games
At the outset of the season, all players and staff members must receive and go over concussion education materials before creating an emergency medical action plan.
Before the season begins, athletes must undergo baseline neurological testing and evaluation every other year. Every three years, exams are given that can be taken on a computer, on paper, or using a combination of both. If a player appears to have had a concussion, more tests could be performed.
game day procedures
In order to monitor the game for any indications of concussions, athletic trainers and unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants (UNCs) are stationed on the sidelines and in a stadium booth on game days.
The team doctor must be consulted to request a sideline examination if the UNCs or athletic trainers, also known as booth spotters, notice any concussion-related symptoms. The recommendation might also come from a UNC for the opposition team.
When a player shows any concussion-related symptoms, they are initially sent to the sidelines for evaluation. If any are found, they are then sent to the locker room for additional testing and are not allowed to return to the game.
A medical time-out can be called by the booth spotter if a player is sent back into the game before the medical personnel has finished their assessments of him or her.
A player is not permitted to meet with the press, speak with them, or drive the day of the injury after receiving a concussion diagnosis.
The Dolphins’ answer has viewers outraged.
Many viewers of the game were quite critical of the Dolphins’ handling of Tagovailoa over the previous week, claiming that he should not even have been allowed to play on Thursday.
Robert Griffin III, a former NFL quarterback, stated that “LIFE is larger than football” in reference to Tua. “Teams should never prioritize the player over the person. Priority for health over competitive advantage. More than just player safety is at stake when Tua is put on display. It concerns one’s quality of life.”
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