Good medical news for Tua Tagovailoa stirring up NFL Draft options
By Ronald Evans
Medical reports from the NFL Combine show Tua Tagovailoa is recovering so well NFL teams may have to trade up to draft him.
Tua Tagovailoa may not be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he is the most talked-about player at the NFL Combine. Tuesday was the medical testing day for quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends. Tua’s medical news received more coverage than all the other Combine participants.
The news could not have been better for Tua. Now the Dolphins have to worry Tua will not available for their No. 5 Draft selection. New York Giants GM, Dave Gettleman has stated a willingness to trade down from the No. 4 pick. The Dolphins cannot afford to let another team make a deal with the Giants and secure Tua in the process.
The entire NFL football world is sure the Bengals will take Joe Burrow at No. 1. Even so, there have been recent comments of Tua being as good or better than Burrow. From an unnamed NFL coach,
"Tua has the potential to be as good as Burrow. I don’t think it’s crazy to say he could be the next Russell Wilson."
The Dolphins are loaded with picks, including three in the first round. The Fins GM, Chris Grier is not ruling out any move.
"I don’t think you rule out anything right. I think we’re wide open to everything."
Might everything be a move to No. 1 to take Joe Burrow? The Lions, with the third pick, appear set with Matt Stafford. Most Draft experts see the Redskins taking Chase Young at No. 2. But there are rumbles the Skins could trade down. There are even some suggestions, Ron Rivera may not be sold on Dwayne Haskins. If so, they might stick at No. 2 and take Tua.
On Tuesday Tua had his Combine medical tests.
"We went to the hospital at 10 yesterday in the morning. I was the last person to leave. We went there at 10 and I was back by about 7:49 p.m."
The results could not have been more positive for Tua at this stage of recovery. He now expects to get a full medical release on Mar. 9, allowing him to do football activities. He says he is already throwing a bit. Tua will do a special NFL Pro Day on April 9.
According to Laura Rutledge, Tua has another medical testing milestone a month from now. That info explains why his scheduled Pro Day will be in April.
Important timeline for Tua: Docs say hip is healed but there’s an important post combine scan in a month to make sure there’s no cartilage build up. Recent scan showed no build up but 4 mo. mark post surgery is when it could happen. Clean scan=final assurance of long term health.
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) February 26, 2020
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Many Alabama football fans are prepared to adopt a new NFL team favorite after the Draft. Crimson Tide love for Tua Tagovailoa continues unabated.