Investigation finds no violation in dealing with of Tua Tagovailoa; NFL and NFLPA comply with new concussion protocols

On Saturday, the NFL introduced that an investigation requested by the NFLPA into how the concussion protocols have been utilized and adopted concerning Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had concluded. In accordance with the investigation, there have been no violations of the NFL’s concussion protocols and that the rules have been adopted as written. Nonetheless, the report and investigation discovered that the protocols in place on the time of Tagovailoa’s damage in opposition to the Buffalo Payments have been “inadequate,” and the NFL and the NFLPA agreed to a brand new collection of concussion protocols, to be carried out instantly.

Findings of the NFLPA-requested investigation

Shortly after Tagovailoa’s damage in opposition to the Payments again in Week 3, the NFLPA requested, as is their proper underneath the present Collective Bargaining Settlement, an investigation into how Tagovailoa’s damage was dealt with. Throughout the first half of that sport, Tagovailoa was pressured on a throw and fell to the turf, putting his again and head on the enjoying floor. The quarterback then obtained to his toes and after taking a couple of steps, staggered and fell.

The staff initially reported that Tagovailoa was being evaluated for a head damage, however returned to the sport for the second half. After the sport, Tagovailoa reported that he sustained again and ankle accidents, and never a head damage.

The NFLPA requested an investigation into the state of affairs underneath the CBA, and as that investigation was pending, Tagovailoa was cleared to play simply 4 days afterward Thursday in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals. In that contest the quarterback was spun to the turf on a sack, as soon as extra hitting his head on the enjoying floor. He was visibly shaken after the hit, and was faraway from the sport and brought to a close-by hospital for analysis of a head damage.

The investigation, which included interviews with medical personnel, staff employees and Tagovailoa, discovered that there have been no violations of the concussion protocols that have been current on the time of Tagovailoa’s damage.

Nonetheless, that was not their solely discovering: “Following the entire overview, the events concluded that whereas the step-by-step course of outlined within the Concussion Protocol was adopted, the end result on this case was not what was meant when the Protocol was drafted.” (Emphasis in authentic).

The investigation discovered that “[t]he Membership medical staff and the [Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC)] correctly considered the video of the play in query as required by the protocol and engaged in a locker room examination of Mr. Tagovailoa earlier than the participant was cleared to return to play.” As well as, the Dolphins staff doctor “cleared Mr. Tagovailoa, following session with the UNC. The steps set forth within the Concussion Guidelines have been, subsequently, carried out.”

The investigation additionally discovered that the quarterback “ … didn’t report or exhibit any indicators or signs of concussion throughout his locker room examination, in the course of the the rest of the sport, or all through the next week.”

Nonetheless, the investigation discovered that whereas the protocols have been adopted, the end result was not what was meant, or envisioned, when the protocols have been drafted:

NFL and NFLPA comply with new concussion protocols

Within the conclusion and findings part of the report, it states that “ … the NFL and the NFLPA agree that the end result on this case shouldn’t be what was meant when the Protocols have been drafted.” (Emphasis in authentic)

Then the investigation outlines the modifications of the protocols:

… based mostly on the recommendation of the events’ respective medical specialists, the Protocol might be modified to boost the protection of the gamers. Particularly, the time period “ataxia” has been added to the obligatory “no-go” signs. “Ataxia” is outlined as abnormality of stability/stability, motor coordinator or dysfunctional speech brought on by a neurological difficulty. In different phrases, if a participant is identified with “ataxia” by any membership or impartial doctor concerned within the software of the Concussion Protocol, he might be prohibited from returning to the sport, and can receiver the follow-up care required by the Protocol.

The report concludes with the next assertion: “ … the events stay dedicated to persevering with to judge our Protocol to make sure it displays the meant conservative strategy to evaluating player-patients for potential head accidents.”

Following the discharge of the report Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s Chief Medical Officer, addressed the investigation and the revised protocols on a session with the media. Throughout that session, Dr. Sills said that the medical doctors concerned acted with “absolute integrity,” and that the video alone doesn’t present the very best prognosis:”

Dr. Sills added that underneath the revised protocols, Tagovailoa would have been dominated out of the Payments sport again in Week 3:

Dr. Sills additionally outlined {that a} participant identified with ataxia underneath the brand new protocols can be required to be cleared by an impartial neurologist, and that it might be “extraordinarily unlikely” a participant in that state of affairs can be cleared inside 4 days, the timeline in Tagovailoa’s case for enjoying the next Thursday:

Nonetheless, Dr. Sills did concede that whereas Tagovailoa was “evaluated” day by day after the Buffalo sport earlier than paying in opposition to Cincinnati, he was not positioned within the obligatory five-step course of to be cleared previous to the Bengals sport. Had that occurred, Tagovailoa would possible have been dominated out:

The choice by the NFLPA to take away the UNC concerned with Tagovailoa was addressed in the course of the Saturday media session, and each Dr. Sills and NFL govt Jeff Miller responded to that line of questioning:

Close to the top of the session, Dr. Sills addressed how the brand new protocols could result in gamers who haven’t suffered a concussion being dominated out, however his response displays the “conservative” strategy the league needs to take with head accidents: