Not Just Tagovailoa: Twelve Other NFL Players Had Concussions Last Week

US Pop Culture & Sports Reporter

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Miami Dolphins' quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be on the sidelines this week after suffering a concussion in the team's game with the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29, but he will not be alone, as a number of players suffered head injuries last week, and will be forced to miss this week's games.

In total, 12 players are on the injured list due to head injuries this week after the NFL seemed to tighten up its protocol standards as the league, along with the NFL Players Association, look to remove any gray areas when it comes to player safety when dealing with concussions.

A leading expert on concussions has told Newsweek that he fears for Tagovailoa if he plays again this season, saying he could jeopardize his career.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered head and neck injuries against the Bengals on September 29. The injury has led to a greater focus on the league's concussion protocol. Getty Images

Chris Nowinski, a neuroscientist and author, as well as co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, told Newsweek: "Tua should not play the rest of the season for both medical and professional reasons."

"If he gets a third concussion in one season, it could give him permanent symptoms and end his career," Nowinski continued. "But even if he recovers from a third concussion, NFL teams will consider him 'concussion prone' and it will impact his future earnings. He is in a no-win situation if he returns."

As well as Tagovailoa, the list of players who were evaluated for concussions and ruled out on Sunday are:

Blake Cashman, Texans

Cashman left the game against the Chargers in the second quarter and Texans' Head Coach Lovie Smith confirmed after the game that the linebacker had suffered a concussion.

Tyrod Taylor, Giants

After quarterback Daniel Jones suffered an ankle injury, backup QB Taylor replaced him before suffering a head injury of his own.

Running back Saquon Barkley had to step in as an emergency QB for the rest of the game.

Julian Love, Giants

Love is the second Giants player to be sidelined this weekend after he collided with running back Tristan Ebner.

Love had to be escorted back to the locker room after trying to stay in the game, where it was confirmed that he had suffered a concussion.

Following the game, Love told his followers on Twitter that he will "be back soon".

Shaquille Leonard, Colts

In his first game of the season after recovering from a back surgery that ruled him out of preseason, linebacker Leonard was diagnosed with a concussion during the game against the Texans.

ESPN's Stephen Holder reported that the Colts decided to pull him from Thursday's game against the Broncos was "independent of the concussion protocol."

Shaquille Leonard suffered a concussion during his last game for the Colts Getty Images

Denzel Perryman, Raiders

Perryman has had an injury-ridden start to the season, suffering an ankle injury in the Raiders' first game of the season.

He will now miss the next game after suffering a concussion which led him to leave the game last week.

Brian Hoyer, Patriots

Hoyer was pulled out of the Patriots' Oct. 2 game against Green Bay in the first quarter due to a concussion and will miss the team's next game.

Isaiah McKenzie, Bills

Slot receiver McKenzie was injured in the third quarter against the Ravens and has since been diagnosed as suffering a concussion.

Terrell Edmunds, Steelers

Edmunds was the victim of his own teammate during the Steelers game with the Jets, as he collided with running back Michael Carter while in pass coverage.