NFL concussions see significant spike amid Tua Tagovailoa controversy
Tua Tagovailoa suffered two concussions during the 2022 NFL season and the way they were handled has become a controversial topic. It started in Week 3 when he wasn't diagnosed with a concussion, but appeared to have suffered a head injury. He was unable to maintain his balance, stumbling to the ground while trying to walk after being hit by a Buffalo Bills defensive player.
Tagovailoa was checked by third-party doctors who oversee all head injuries during NFL games. They make decisions on whether players can rejoin the game after being checked, due to their unbiased opinion by not working for the teams. The doctors cleared him to go back into the game, which he was able to complete.
During the Miami Dolphins' Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tua Tagovailoa was knocked down again. This time the hit resulted in him being stretchered off the field in a frightening scene. He was diagnosed with a concussion and in the aftermath, the doctor who cleared him in Week 3 was terminated from his position.
Tua Tagovailoa returned from a head injury, only to suffer another concussion in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers. This ended his 2022 NFL season, including missing the Dolphins' game in the NFL playoffs against the Bills. Tagovailoa has become a prime example of the dangers of concussions in the NFL, and his case is why the league needs to continue addressing this issue.
The NFL is well aware of the ongoing concussion issues around the league. According to data recently released by the NFL, concussions were up 18 percent during the 2022 NFL season as compared to last year. While some of this inflation may be due to improved methods of detection, it's still a massive cause for concern.
The number of diagnosed concussions suffered by NFL players during the regular season was up 18 percent from last season (from 126 last season to 149 this season), according to injury data released today by the NFL. That's after preseason concussions were down.
What is the NFL doing to prevent another type of Tua Tagovailoa concussion situation from happening again?
Concussions can lead to serious brain complications, such as CTE, so this is a major concern. The NFL has continually made strides in attempting to decrease this number, but it's apparently still trending in the wrong direction. The hiring of third-party doctors to analyze head injuries on the sidelines was part of their recent efforts to combat it.
Despite the way they apparently botched the Tua Tagovailoa situation, this appears to be a step in the right direction. The NFL also has dedicated finances and resources to further the study and research of these injuries, as well as how to prevent them. Adding additional padding to helmets has been another positive development, including the large outer shell during training camps.
Research has also determined that about 20 percent of all concussions occur on special teams plays.
Expect another off-season conversation about how to make punts safer, because, again, injuries happen disproportionately on punts. 1 of every 5 concussions happens on a kickoff or punt. 20 percent of ACLs are on special teams.
Punts and kickoffs have been diagnosed as the most dangerous plays in the NFL. While Tua Tagovailoa's injury occurred during offensive play, special teams are reportedly going to be the focus of safety changes during the 2023 offseason. 20 percent is an extremely high number, especially considering how few kickoffs and punts occur during the course of a game compared to offensive and defensive plays.
It's been estimated that only about 20 percent of all NFL plays are related to special teams. This is why it's so alarming that they account for such a high percentage of overall concussions.
It makes sense for the NFL to address the safety of these plays, as well as all areas that could potentially reduce the risk of injuries. Player health should always be the number one priority when the NFL makes any adjustments to their procedures.