Hours after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell revealed that the league will be making changes in its Concussion Protocol, the NFL and the players association issued a joint statement saying the protocols were applied appropriately in Tua Tagovailoa’s case but fell short.

An investigation was launched into the Miami Dolphins’ handling of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a horrific injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. He also suffered another injury in the previous week against the Bills, however, returned in the subsequent week on the field. Since then, fans have criticized the Miami Dolphins for handling his injury with haste, which they claim resulted in his injury against the Bengals.

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In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the NFL and the players association said that the concussion protocols were used appropriately in Tagovailoa’s case, but fell short. The league has also announced that the concussion protocols have been changed and the updated version will come into effect from Sunday, October 9.

“The outcome in this case is not what was intended when the Protocols were drafted. As such, as has been done in previous cases, based on the advice of the parties’ respective medical experts, the Protocol will be modified to enhance the safety of the players,” the joint statement read.

According to the league and the players association, the medical personnel and the UNC watched the footage of the play of Tua’s injury against the Bills and followed the concussion protocol. They also added that Tua had notified the medical personnel of back and ankle issues ahead of the game, which he said grew during the game against the Bills. This resulted in the medical staff deciding Tua’s Gross Motor Instability was not neurological but was caused by his back injury.

Also Read: Watch: Indianapolis Colts RB Nyheim Hines suffers Tua Tagovailoa-like concussion vs Denver Broncos

Following the investigation, the NFL players association sacked the neurotrauma consultant who evaluated Tua Tagovailoa after the investigation unearthed that he made “several mistakes”, ESPN reported. The dismissal was also due to the doctor’s “failure to understand his role as UNC and hostility during the investigation process,” the NFL Network revealed.

The return of Tua Tagovailoa to the field is not known so far.