NFLPA reportedly fires independent neurologist who was at Week 3 game where Tua Tagovailoa returned after head injury
The NFL Players Association's investigation into why Tua Tagovailoa was allowed to return in Week 3 after appearing to suffer a head injury took a drastic turn Saturday afternoon.
The union fired the independent neurotrauma doctor who was "involved" in the situation at the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills, according to Pro Football Talk. Tagovailoa suffered what the team announced was a "head injury" after being knocked to the ground, standing up and stumbling before leaving the game. The hit appeared to end Tagovailoa's day, but he ended up returning to the game for the second half to lead the Dolphins to a 21-19 win.
That decision raised a lot of eyebrows and prompted the NFLPA to officially open up an investigation into the incident.
Tagovailoa was reportedly checked for a concussion all week and passed all the necessary tests leading to the Dolphins' Week 4 game against the Cincinnati Bengals just four days later. Tagovailoa suffered another scary-looking injury Thursday night, though, after being slammed to the ground before he was stretchered off the field and taken to a hospital. He was discharged that night and flew home with the team.
The investigation is still ongoing, but the independent doctor and the Dolphins team physician were reportedly interviewed on Friday as part of the investigation, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The NFLPA reportedly found that the doctor made "several mistakes" during the game.
