On Saturday, the NFL and NFLPA released a joint statement following an investigation into the protocol followed in the matter of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa following his injury in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills.
“The NFL-NFLPA Concussion Evaluation and Management Protocol was formalized and adopted in 2013,” the two parties said in a statement. “Since that time, the parties’ medical experts have recommended and the parties have agreed to numerous modifications of the protocols to improve the health and safety of players (e.g., the creation of the ATC spotter program, Booth UNCs, Emergency Action Plans, mandatory post-game reports, and improved video surveillance). Rather than being simply a “check the box” process, the Protocol was designed to ensure that highly credentialed and experienced physicians – approved and paid for by the NFL and NFLPA – are available on game day and to create a standardized approach to concussion evaluation where competitive decisions never usurp quality care.
