Throughout a information convention Friday, Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce mentioned Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ought to retire after struggling his third identified concussion in as many seasons.
Tagovailoa left Miami’s loss to the Buffalo Payments on Thursday night time after a success to the helmet prompted a fencing response — a time period used to explain an individual’s arms going into an unnatural place — within the fifth-year quarterback. He was in a position to exit the sector below his personal energy and was instantly positioned into the concussion protocol. Tagovailoa missed 5 video games in the course of the 2022 season due to two different identified concussions, plus a 3rd hit to the pinnacle that led to the NFL altering its concussion coverage.
When requested for his response to Tagovailoa’s current harm, Pierce, who performed 9 seasons within the NFL, prompt Tagovailoa prioritize his well being and household.
“I will be sincere, I might inform him to retire. It isn’t value it,” Pierce mentioned. “Taking part in the sport, I have never witnessed something like what’s occurred to him thrice. Scary — you could possibly see straight away; the gamers’ faces on the sector. You could possibly see the sense of urgency from everyone to get Tua assist. I simply assume sooner or later — he will reside longer than he will play soccer. Care for your loved ones.”
Pierce wasn’t the one NFL coach to opine on the matter Friday.
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, whose crew performed the Dolphins in Week 1, mentioned he does not know the entire state of affairs however emphasised that the participant’s well being have to be prioritized in these situations.
“If it was one in all our guys, it’s important to be very cautious and do the appropriate factor for the participant. I believe that is an important factor,” Pederson mentioned. “It is a part of the sport that clearly we’re attempting to take away; I simply do not know if we will absolutely take away it due to the character of those hits. I believe you simply need to proceed to consider the participant and the well being and security of the participant and ensuring they’re 1,000 p.c wholesome. These are simply choices that I believe, personally, as a participant it’s important to take into account as you concentrate on your profession.
“All people desires to play, they usually love this sport a lot they usually give a lot to it that, when issues like this occur, actuality type of hits a bit of bit, and it reveals the human facet of our sport.”
Pederson can be an NFL veteran, having performed seven seasons earlier than retiring in 2004.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel spoke to the media Friday morning and mentioned he’s not targeted on Tagovailoa’s return to soccer. As his quarterback left the sector Thursday night time, McDaniel advised Tagovailoa to give attention to his household in the meanwhile.
McDaniel additionally implored followers and media to permit Tagovailoa to give attention to his well being earlier than discussing the potential for his return or retirement.
“You are speaking about his profession — his profession is his,” he mentioned. “I simply want that folks would for a second hear what I am saying, that mentioning his future shouldn’t be in the most effective curiosity of him. So, I will plead with everyone that does genuinely care that that must be the very last thing in your thoughts.”
McDaniel didn’t seem like responding to anybody particular; he spoke earlier than Pederson or Pierce made their feedback. He mentioned he doesn’t see Tagovailoa enjoying within the Dolphins sport subsequent week in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks, however added that the one opinions that matter are Tagovailoa’s and that of any physician who evaluates him.
