(Exclusive) Dolphins Legend ‘Surprised’ by Tua Tagovailoa’s Return After Multiple Concussions Threatened QB’s Future

Concussions might just be the scariest part of the game. I mean, sure, you've got big hits, X's and O's, and insane plays, but when it comes to head injuries, things get serious real quick. Look no further than Miami DolphinsTua Tagovailoa, who's had his fair share of them. And while he came back strong against the and the Bills, not everyone thought his return was the best call. In exclusive partnership with Behind the Mask podcast, the Dolphins legend Ronnie Brown sat down and told us why Tua's return surprised him.

When the BTM podcast host, Takeo Spikes, asked for Brown's on Tua's comeback, he was in for the whole insight. The retired RB admitted he was "surprised." He explained, "The degree that he started getting concussions... you gotta understand there's the business side and the personal side." For Brown, seeing Tua take another hit without even a direct blow raised some big questions about the long-term effects. Brown even said that if Tua were his son, he'd ask him to call it quits. He gets the competitive side of it—"heck, they're all top dogs!" But he was clear about his stance: health has to come first.

It was straight talk from Ronnie on the EssentiallySports and BTM exclusive: "To each its own. But if it was me, I would have strongly considered that this might be it." And who can blame him? Concussions are a no-go when it comes to the gridiron grind. Remember when Brett Favre shared a chilling take on head injuries? "When you have ringing of the ears, seeing stars, that's a concussion," he said that back in 2018. "And if that is a concussion, I've had hundreds, maybe thousands, throughout my career, which is frightening." Imagine the state his brain is in.

Sure, if we compare that to Tua's, it might seem like nothing. But that was what Brown was trying to say. We must not take it to the where it's out of the hands. And with the Phins QB1, his history with concussions isn't new. He's had three since he entered the NFL in 2020, including a really scary one in 2022 that left fans holding their breath after a fencing response on live TV. And it's not just in the league, nope! Back in college at Alabama, he suffered one as well.

What's worse is the injuries beyond the concussions... Tua's dealt with several. From a fractured pelvis to hip dislocations. You name it, he's probably faced it. Guess that's why the NFL has been taking note. The league made updates to its concussion policy to add more protections. But it took for someone like Tua, and maybe a couple of others, to receive multiple hits. So, is the protocol gonna cut it? Who knows... But that's where Brown asked: "when do you say enough is enough?"

In the end, it's Tua's call. He knows the risks, but the competitive fire is hard to put out. Still, as Brown summed it up during the Exclusive, "You gotta think about longevity, life beyond football." Hope Tua's thought about it. But right now it seems he's back and all he can think about is Miami getting back on track.

Tua Tagovailoa is back, and he's not messing around After a brutal start to the season, the Dolphins may be down, but they're definitely not out. Tua Tagovailoa is back under center, and even though the record says 3-6, the guy is making sure every yard counts. Just last week, Miami lost a heartbreaker to by a mere three points, capped by a 61-yard field goal in the rain.

Tough break? Absolutely. But Tua? He's unfazed. "We took a step in the right direction as a team collectively," he said. "This is the game we want to show on Sundays." Tua's numbers in that Buffalo showdown were a bright spot: 25-of-28 for 231 yards, two touchdowns, and zero picks. A passer rating of 124.9? That's about as good as it got then. But it got even better against the in LA!

Yep, you read that right. Tua's words fired up the Phins against the Rams, and this time, they backed it up on the field. They got the 23-15 dub. As for Tua, he wasn't exactly lights out Monday night—he went 20-for-28 with 207 yards, a touchdown, a pick, and a fumble lost. But here's the thing: stats aren't telling the whole story.

It's not just stats, though; there's a newfound grit to his game since returning from injury. And yes, this isn't just any injury—he is on a redemption arc against the old foe in concussions. Ah! The word redemption came in and here he is, slinging darts and reminding us why Miami went all in on him.

If the Dolphins can go 6-2 over their next six, they'd end the regular season at 9-8, with a fighting chance in the final month. It's a tall order, no doubt. But Tua's return has brought back the hope for the Phins.