Tua Tagovailao not cleared to play in Pro Bowl Games

Tua Tagovailoa, will not play in the Pro Bowl games as a first alternative because he has yet to clear concussion protocols.

Tua suffered his second confirmed concussion against the Packers way back in week 16. He missed the Patriots, Jets, and the Wild Card game against the Bills. Many believed that had Miami beaten Buffalo, Tua would have played against Kansas City. We now know that is not true.

The fact that Tua has missed three weeks since this recent concussion and a 4th week had he played, now a 5th weekend, and will not play next weekend should be cause for concern.

Miami is saying that Tua’s concussion clearance is in process and not a result of any setbacks according to Marcel Louise-Jacques on Twitter. 

Is this something that Miami should be concerned about? They won’t be and it maybe shouldn’t be. This is one of those hard-to-call situations. On one hand, it has been reported that Tua is not more at risk for future head injuries and that some neuro has told him he doesn’t need to retire, again, according to reports a week or so ago.

On the other hand, what happens if Tua suffers another concussion early next season? Or a 2nd, or 3rd? Miami will be without their starter and frankly, while he may not be “susceptible” to more concussions, doesn’t mean he won’t suffer them. At some point, the Dolphins have to have a plan in place for this possibility.

The Dolphins are facing a critical off-season as it relates to Tua. Keep him as they should and they risk losing him but replacing him would be just as much of a problem. It’s a catch-22 for certain.

As for his future, that’s up to him and the Dolphins. As to what fans think he should do, that’s up to each of us on our own to form an opinion…but our opinion doesn’t matter.