CNN
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The Miami Dolphins formally exercised quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year choice on his rookie contract on Monday.

The 24-year-old is now contracted with the staff via the 2024 season. He shall be assured $23.2 million for the 2024 season, in response to the NFL.

Tagovailoa was the NFL’s highest-rated passer final season with a 105.5 score, changing into the youngest participant to guide the league in passer score since former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino did so in 1984.

Nevertheless, regardless of exhibiting flashes of the promise the Dolphins noticed in him popping out of Alabama, Tagovailoa had a tumultuous season final yr, significantly all the way down to his battles with head accidents.

Tagovailoa suffered three concussions all year long, elevating scrutiny concerning the NFL’s concussion protocols.

His well being scares began September 25 in a sport in opposition to the Buffalo Payments, when Tagovailoa stumbled backward and fell throughout a play, hitting his head on the turf. Although he initially stood up on his personal, Tagovailoa then staggered and needed to be helped by two teammates.

Tagovailoa was taken out of the sport, evaluated by medical doctors and allowed to return after halftime. Later, each the NFL and the NFL Gamers Affiliation concluded that concussion protocols have been appropriately adopted.

However 4 days later, in a sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals, Tagovailoa was injured once more in a scary wanting incident, carted off the sphere and brought through ambulance to a close-by hospital. This time, he was recognized with a concussion. Days later, the NFLPA fired the unaffiliated neurotrauma guide concerned within the choice to let Tagovailoa return within the sport in opposition to the Payments.

On Christmas in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers, it occurred once more. This time, Tagovailoa was not evaluated through the sport – the analysis got here the following day after he confirmed concussion-like signs. The Dolphins shut Tagovailoa down for the remainder of the season, that means he missed the Dolphins’ playoffs sport in opposition to the Payments. Two concussions occurring shut collectively can have completely disabling results, in response to the American Affiliation of Neurological Surgeons.

Gamers sustained 149 concussions in video games this season – an 18% improve over 2021, the NFL mentioned final week. That whole is also 14% greater than the three-year common (130) between 2018 and 2020.

The league’s chief medical officer attributed the rise partially to a protocol change that he mentioned “broadened and strengthened” the definition of a concussion following Tagovailoa’s accidents earlier within the season.

Tagovailoa was the fifth general decide within the 2020 NFL draft out of Alabama. He has performed in 36 profession video games with 34 begins, finishing 708-of-1,078 profession passes for 8,015 yards and 52 touchdowns.

In 2022, Tagovailoa was voted a staff captain and received the Don Shula Management Award, chosen by his teammates.