For players in the NFL, the best ability is availability and that is the topic of conversation that continues to be had surrounding the durability of Tua Tagovailoa.
With the term “injury prone” thrown around quite a bit when describing Alabama’s all-time leader in touchdowns and passing yards, former NFL team doctor David J. Chao doesn’t quite understand that criticism.
I don't understand or agree with the "injury prone" talk related to @Tuaamann or most players. With #StayAtHome, free time to start a thread. https://t.co/coeYKxLspY
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Chao began a Twitter thread on Saturday detailing his reasoning on how Tagovailoa’s health shouldn’t be blown up to this proportion.
When talking about Tagovailoa’s hip injury Chao described it as a “car accident”, and that “Any player tackled with their knee on the ground with hip flexed and internally rotated with 2 players jumping on his back as TUA was can suffer a hip dislocation.”
Chao also went into detail about Tagovailoa’s other injuries during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.
Tua's supposed "wrist fractures" did not happen. He did break his finger in past but that is an occupational hazard. Just this season alone, I am aware of at least 5 NFL QBs with significant digit injuries including @Jaboowins, @drewbrees and more.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Medically, @Tuaamann is not injury prone. Can he be called "prone to injury? That is a different question. Have talked about how mobile QBs who extend plays take on more risk vs. #PhilipRivers & his record health streak (even he has had injuries just has been able to play thru).
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
I feel it is disrespectful to label a professional athlete "Injury prone" without solid medical evidence as all the ones I know work hard at their craft and beyond team support, pay out of pocket for other injury prevention services.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
No question the hip is a big injury and so far things look promising. The ankles and finger are non issues
My anaylsis is @Tuaamann is not injury prone.— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
David J. Chao, is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with a Subspecialty Certification in Sports Medicine and has been engaged in an active practice in San Diego since 1995. He formerly served in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers as the franchise’s Head Team Physician.
Along with the Chargers, Chao has been consulted by multiple athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
