Tua Tagovailoa 'Feeling Much Better' After Horrific Head Injury Thursday

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Former University of Alabama star and Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took to social media Friday night to update fans on the status of a head injury on Saturday that sent shockwaves through the football world.

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During a Thursday night primetime game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Tagovailoa was awkwardly dragged to the ground during a sack, hitting the back of his head hard against the turf.

The nationally-televised game also captured the moment where Tagovailoa showed the signs of a "fencing response" — defined as an unnatural position of the arms or hands following a concussion.

It's crucial to note that the injury came less than a week after Tagovailoa displayed concussion symptoms on Sunday after a big hit, prompting calls for an investigation into the NFL's concussion protocol that allowed the quarterback to return on Thursday prior to his most recent injury.

Tagovailoa reported having movement in all of his extremities and was discharged from University of Cincinnati Medical Center Thursday night.

"I want to thank everyone for all of their prayers and support since the game last night," Tagovailoa said on Friday. "It was difficult to not be able to finish the game and be there with my teammates, but I am grateful for the support and care l've received from the Dolphins, my friends and family, and all the people who have reached out. I'm feeling much better and focused on recovering so I can get back out on the field with my teammates."

Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, told the Washington Post in an interview that a joint review by the league and its NFL Players Association was being undertaken relating to the Dolphins’ handling of Tagovailoa's injury on Sunday. He also said the quarterback was evaluated every day leading up to Thursday night's game and reportedly cleared concussion protocol.

“Obviously, I am upset and concerned just like any fan — and just like any physician is any time one of our players suffers any type of injury,” Sills said. “We want to be thorough, and we want to be consistent and be fair to everyone involved and make sure that we have all the data on hand before we reach a final determination.”

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