Did NFL learn from Tua Tagovailoa nightmare?

The NFL is investigating the events of DeVante Parker’s concussion and removal from the Patriots vs. Cardinals Week 14 game.

After an Arizona Cardinals defender hit New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker, he struggled to stand up and appeared wobbly. The game advanced to the next play, while Parker lined up for the next play, clearly showing signs of a concussion.

The lone person who noticed something wrong with Parker was his fellow Patriots teammate, receiver Nelson Agholor. Agholor took a knee and tried to stop the upcoming play; it eventually did when Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury challenged the previous play.

When the official blew the whistle to stop the game, Agholor walked over to Parker, linked their arms, and helped him walk off the field. Parker would then be evaluated for a concussion.

DeVante Parker has entered concussion protocol

The NFL has an extensive concussion protocol where if any player receives an impact to the head, they enter the protocol if they exhibit or report symptoms or signs of a concussion or if the athletic trainer, booth spotter, team physician, official, coach, teammate or sideline/booth Unaffiliated Neurotrauma Consultant (UNC) initiates the protocol.

The player undergoes an evaluation of their balance, stability, motor coordination and speech dysfunction. The first evaluation will happen on the sideline, and players may need to go to the locker room if they exhibit further symptoms.

If a player is diagnosed with a concussion, they must follow a five-step process before being cleared to practice fully or participate in a game. After a player has progressed through the five steps and is cleared for full participation, they must be seen by an Independent Neurological Consultant before being fully cleared.

In the case of Parker, he was removed from the game after Agholor brought attention to his condition. Parker then entered the protocol, and it was later announced he would be out for the remainder of the game.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport has reported that the NFL and the NFLPA are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the sequence of events of Parker’s concussion in the Week 14 game.

NFL is learning from the Tua Tagovailoa situation

Earlier this season, the NFL came under fire for its handling of concussions when Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa appeared to have suffered a concussion and yet returned to the game.

In Week 3, the Dolphins took on the Buffalo Bills, and Tagovailoa briefly left the game with what was said to be a back injury; he later returned to the game. The NFLPA suspected that the Dolphins might have violated the concussion protocol by letting Tagovailoa return to the game, and they subsequently announced an investigation.

In Week 4, Tagovailoa was cleared to start against the Cincinnati Bengals. After a hit in the second quarter, Tagovailoa hit the ground with his back, elbow, and the back of his helmet. While lying on the ground, Tagovailoa’s hands were placed in what is known as a fencing response, which is an unnatural position of a person’s arms after a concussion. Tagovailoa was then stretchered off the field and transported to a local medical facility, where he was discharged later that night.

Tagovailoa was diagnosed with a concussion and would clear the protocol midway through October before Week 6. He returned to the field in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since returning from a concussion, Tagolvailoa has thrown 1,969 yards and 14 touchdowns and is a candidate for the NFL MVP Award.

The NFL is certainly learning from the Tagovailia situation; however, the fact that none of the officials, coaches, and concussion spotters noticed Parker’s symptoms is a failure for the NFL.