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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — During a recent practice session, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa attempted a pass to Jaylen Waddle when Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom intercepted the ball. As Rozeboom sprinted upfield, Tagovailoa pursued him, surprising onlookers by making a headfirst tackle, despite his previous concussion history. Rozeboom’s leg inadvertently struck Tagovailoa in the head during the process.
In a statement following the incident, Tagovailoa remarked on Wednesday, “It didn’t feel as bad as it looked.” He further explained that playing football necessitates making tough decisions, and he regretted throwing the interception in the first place. Although he did not intend to avoid the contact, Tagovailoa also recognized the risks of his actions.
Coach Mike McDaniel highlighted the importance of Tagovailoa’s self-awareness in these situations, acknowledging that while he viewed his vulnerability during the healing process on film, it wasn’t necessarily evident in real-time. “I think Tua understands the consequences of being careless when he has the ball,” McDaniel noted. “Watching the tackle on film likely gave him a different perspective than his immediate thoughts during the game.”
Not only did Tagovailoa complete the game after the incident, but clips of the tackle quickly circulated on social media, largely due to his prior experiences with severe head injuries. This incident marked his return to the field after being on injured reserve due to a diagnosed concussion earlier in the season.
Previously, Tagovailoa suffered a concussion on September 12 when he collided with Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin after attempting to run for a first down instead of opting to slide. His teammates have continuously urged him to prioritize his safety in future plays. Running back Raheem Mostert expressed the ongoing discussions about the importance of learning to slide to avoid exposure to head injuries.
Tagovailoa’s history includes two concussions in the previous year, as well as another serious hit that contributed to changes in the NFL’s concussion protocols. While he has stated that he does not wish to symbolize the conversation surrounding traumatic brain injuries in the league, he recognizes that his experiences are integral to that discourse.
During recent discussions between McDaniel and Tagovailoa, the quarterback reflected on the insights gained from his time off the field this season and the effects it had on the team. “He mentioned how revealing this season was for him,” McDaniel shared. “He is aware of the implications of his injuries and takes them seriously.” The coach also emphasized that Tagovailoa’s actions were not out of neglect but stemmed from his instinctual reactions as he tried to stay safe.
The quarterback acknowledged the complexities of protecting himself during the high-paced nature of games. “As a player, especially if you’ve played since childhood, your instincts kick in and you revert to ingrained habits,” he explained. “However, finding a balance is crucial — you can’t let yourself get sidetracked by excessive thoughts during the action; the game unfolds too rapidly for that.”
In organizational news, Miami has brought in tight end Jack Stoll from Philadelphia after waiving linebacker David Long Jr. Long had been a team captain early in the season but was benched after struggling in coverage, only participating on special teams over the last two games.
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