Mike McDaniel verdict speaks volumes with Tua Tagovailoa's NFL future unclear

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel declined to discuss Tua Tagovailoa's future in the NFL after the quarterback suffered yet another sickening concussion on Thursday.

The 26-year-old was knocked out of the game against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter after being tackled by Damar Hamlin. It had already been a brutal night for the Dolphins, with Tagovailoa throwing three interceptions before his injury.

Miami slumped to a 31-10 defeat to its AFC West rivals, but McDaniel's thoughts were firmly focused on the well-being of his quarterback after the game. It is the third time the former Alabama standout has suffered a concussion in the NFL, and calls have abounded from fans and pundits for Tagovailoa to retire for the sake of his health.

McDaniel would not answer questions about Tagovailoa's future in the game at his press conference on Friday. He told reporters: “I have to put his health as the primary… The best thing I can do is not try to address what this means from a football standpoint.

"Science behind concussions tells you how delicate the time is right after an injury and how important it is you don't institute extra sources of anxiety.”

Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez let calls for Tagovailoa to walk away from the sport on Amazon Prime Video's postgame show. The former Atlanta Falcons star said: "I'm thinking retirement here. To me, it seems like a no-brainer. The brain, this is something that can affect you long-term. For me, it's time to move on."

Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant took to social media to plead for the decision to be taken out of Tagovailoa's hands. "That’s it," he posted on X. "NFL go ahead and do the right thing Tua has had entirely way too many concussions He need to retire for his longevity health concerns."

Hall of Famer and "First Take" pundit Shannon Sharpe also weighed in. He posted on X: "Really hope Tua is OK, but he’s gotta seriously think about shutting it down. I hate saying this. His concussions are getting worse and worse and he’s a young man with his entire life ahead of him."

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Tagovailoa, who signed a new four-year, $212 million contract in the offseason, has entered the NFL's concussion protocol and will not return to action until he is cleared by doctors, who will take into account his previous head injuries when determining a potential timeline for his return.

Tagovailoa suffered two concussions in the 2022 season, with the second one coming in December and forcing him to miss the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. Those injuries prompted widespread concern for his health and questions over his future as a football player, and they intensified on Thursday.