Tua Tagovailoa
It was a scary moment on Thursday night, when Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hit the ground hard and was down for several minutes, with his fingers in what is known as a fencing response. Tagovailoa left the field on a stretcher and was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center with head and neck injuries. ESPN reported Friday morning that the quarterback was able to fly to Miami with the team and is home. He has been diagnosed with a concussion and there is no timetable for his return.
It was the second scary injury for Tagovailoa in five days, after he left Sunday’s game against with the Buffalo Bills with what appeared to be a head injury, but it was later deemed a back injury. Tagovailoa returned to the game and the NFLPA launched an investigation.
NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr. Allen Sills said Friday morning on NFL Network that Tagovailoa had been checked for symptoms of a concussion each day and that an independent neurological expert had to clear him to play.
Vikings at Saints Injury Status
The Minnesota Vikings touched down in London town and running back Dalvin Cook touched down with them, after suffering a left shoulder injury in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Lions. Cook left the game in the third quarter and did not return. Cook practiced Thursday and Friday and has been clear to play when the Vikings take on the New Orleans Saints from across the pond.
Meanwhile for the Saints, quarterback Jameis Winston is doubtful to play with a variety of injuries, meaning it’s likely Andy Dalton time. Wide receiver Michael Thomas (foot) is out, while wide receiver Jarvis Landry (ankle) and running back Alvin Kamara (rib) are both questionable. Yikes.
The game will be played 9:30 am ET/6:30 am PT and will be on NFL Network.
Mac Jones
When the New England Patriots take on the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday, they will do so without quarterback Mac Jones, who will miss his first career start due to an injury to his left ankle. It looks like it’s Brian Hoyer SZN. God speed.
Jones was injured late in last week’s loss to the Ravens, when Calais Campbell fell on the second year QB’s ankle. Ouch.
The Patriots and Packers face off at 4:25 pm ET/1:25 pm PT on Sunday on CBS.
Blake Griffin and the Celtics
Six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin has a new home, again. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Griffin and the Celtics have agreed to a one-year deal. This will be Griffin’s fourth team, with the previous three bring the Los Angeles Clippers, the Detroit Pistons and the Brooklyn Nets.
Last season with the Nets, Griffin averaged 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 56 games. He will provide depth to a Celtics team that is dealing with injury issues.
Abby Wambach
Amid the Mississippi welfare fraud case surrounding Brett Favre, World Cup winner and two-time gold medalist, who is also in the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Abby Wambach told ESPN she will cut all ties with Odyssey Health, a concussion drug company whose No. 1 investor is Favre.
Wambach was on the sports advisory for the company, who is said to be working on a nasal spray that would treat concussions. Per a lawsuit filed by the state of Mississippi, over $2 million that was meant for welfare recipients went to Odyssey Health instead.