Today's column is brief and to the point. It's possible that we just witnessed the end of Tua Tagovailoa's career. There's been plenty written on this page and on thousands of sites across the Internet about his concussion history, and how one more hit might force an early retirement. Tua even mentioned last summer that he'd considered it. I've discussed the obvious implications of an NFL team putting their Super Bowl hopes largely in the hands of such a vulnerable quarterback. And because this is a fantasy page, there's been plenty of discussion about the risks and rewards of drafting playmakers who need a healthy Tua to thrive.
At this moment, the biggest question is whether he'll be okay physically and mentally. The next biggest question is whether he'll ever take another NFL snap. My meaningless opinion is that, since he's already considered retirement, he and those around him surely will think even more strongly about it. I think it would be surprising if he returns this season; nine months away from the game to reassess makes the most sense to me. And who knows.
Clearly this isn't a wear-and-tear issue. There's no gradual breakdown of the body, where a player realizes he can no longer perform at a high enough level. Or repeated ACL tears that might sap a player of his mobility and render him an offensive afterthought.
Most serious injuries damage careers. Concussions damage lives.
So we'll see what Tua decides, and then there will be plenty of time to figure out realistic rest-of-season projections for each Dolphin.
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