“If neurons die, they don’t come back” – CTE expert urges Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa to ditch playoffs in effort to aid recovery
Tua Tagovailoa hasn't played since Christmas Day, despite his team reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The team will continue to soldier on without him, as he has now been ruled out of the contest. Based on comments made to ESPN by one CTE expert, the move was for the best.
Per ConcussionFoundation.org, Dr Chris Nowinski is one of the doctors leading the fight against CTE, a disorder caused by repeated hits and concussions sustained over time. The doctor called for the team to sit out the quarterback.
In the interview, he claimed that with too many hits, irreversible damage can be sustained:
"But if neurons die, if axons are severed, they don't come back. And if you just keep taking some away with each concussion, eventually your brain can't overcome the damage and the [ability to recover] becomes diminished."
Will the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills?
Another expert echoed a similar sentiment. Dr Julian Bailes, chairman of the department of neurosurgery at NorthShore University Health System, also recommended that the quarterback sit out:
"The brain doesn't know whether it's the playoffs or not. The brain doesn't appreciate what part of the season you're in. It needs to recover."
Dolphins’ HC Mike McDaniel ruled out Tua Tagovailoa for Sunday’s game vs. Buffalo. He still has not cleared concussion protocol.
Who will start in place of Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa on Wild Card weekend?
According to Sports Illustrated, with Tua Tagovailoa out of the picture, backup Skylar Thompson is in line to start. Teddy Bridgewater, the team's second-string quarterback, has been battling an injury, so it will fall to the team's third-string quarterback.
It will be the second playoff game in a row for the franchise in which the team will be lacking its starting quarterback. In 2016, the team played well enough to reach the playoffs with injury-prone Ryan Tannehill, but ended up playing Matt Moore in the contest. The team lost.
Most would agree that the team has its back up against the wall heading into this weekend's contest. Will the Dolphins find a way to beat the rival Buffalo Bills and survive until they can get Teddy Bridgewater or Tua Tagovailoa back in the fold? Let us know your views in the comments section.
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit ESPN and H/T Sportskeeda.