• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 19, 2025

Tua Tagovailoa Meeting With Doctors Following Concussion

  • As calls grow for him to stop playing, reports suggest the Miami star is not leaning that way while he meets with doctors.
  • The money potentially left on the table varies greatly depending on his diagnosis.
Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

The retirement calls are increasingly surrounding injured Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa, but much like the rest of the lengthy injury history for the quarterback, the situation is complicated, and growing more so.

Tagovailoa suffered yet another concussion in the Thursday Night Football season opener against the Bills, following a string of head injuries in the 2022 season that drew national attention and led to changes in the NFL’s concussion protocol

That prompted a series of players and coaches, including the Raiders’ Antonio Pierce, to call on Tagovailoa to retire for the sake of his own health and his family.

“It’s not worth it,” Pierce said Friday. “Playing the game, I haven’t witnessed anything like what’s happened to him three times … I just think at some point—he’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football—take care of your family.”

As of Sunday, Tagovailoa is deferring any decision until at least after meeting early this week with neurologists, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Counting his final collegiate season at Alabama, Tagovailoa has now suffered four diagnosed concussions in the last five years, and it’s possible there were additional undiagnosed ones. The meetings with doctors will be to assess both the severity of the latest blow, suffered during the third quarter of the Dolphins’ 31-10 loss to the Bills, and the cumulative effect of all the concussions. 

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, meanwhile, reported that Tagovailoa will not retire, and added that the meetings with doctors have already started. Tagovailoa is expected to miss at least the Dolphins’ next game, Sept. 22 at the Seahawks, while the evaluations continue, and he remains in the league’s concussion protocol. 

Complex Math

Beyond Tagovailoa’s health, there are significant contractual ramifications within any retirement decision. Just starting a four-year $212.4 million contract extension signed in July, Tagovailoa has $167.1 million of those funds guaranteed, and about $43 million has already been paid. If Tagovailoa is cleared to return to play, but chooses to retire, he forfeits the rest of his money, absent a separate, negotiated settlement. If he is forced to medically retire, he could claim the remaining $124 million in guaranteed money

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, for his part, implored the media and fans to focus on Tagovailoa’s health, and only that.

“You’re talking about his career. His career is his,” McDaniel said Friday. “I just wish that people would for a second hear what I’m saying, that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him. So I’m going to plead with everybody that genuinely does care that should be the last thing on your mind.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
Dave Checketts

Ex-Knicks President: When David Stern Accused Me of Skirting Cap

The Knicks walked away clean when accused of cap circumvention in the 1990s.
Oct 7, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) talk with each other after the Bengals defeated the Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium.

Former Dolphins Safety Lands $9.5M Settlement in Advisor Theft Case

Reshad Jones accused his former financial advisor of stealing almost $2.6 million.

Tyreek Hill’s Injury Complicates Financial Future With Dolphins

Releasing the receiver after this season would cost $28 million.

Featured Today

@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance, balancing science, taste, and the demands of professional football.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Jan 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at Wells Fargo Center

Golden Knights Add Hockey Canada Trial’s Carter Hart

Hart is the only acquitted player to sign with an NHL team.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:
October 9, 2025

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC sits during a break in their TGL golf match against Atlanta Drive GC at SoFi Center on March 4, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
October 13, 2025

Latest Tiger Woods Surgery Bad News for TGL, PGA Tour Champions

Woods is recovering from his seventh back surgery in 11 years.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.