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Former NFL doctor David Chao takes issue with Tua Tagovailoa being labeled ‘injury-prone’
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Former Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa has faced a couple of nasty injuries the past 2 seasons, so teams are a bit concerned about his durability as the 2020 NFL Draft approaches.
Tua recently defended himself against talk that he is injury-prone, and former NFL doctor David Chao came to his aid on Twitter on Saturday, too.
In a lengthy Twitter thread, Chao discussed why calling the former Alabama star “injury-prone” is completely out of line:
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
Any player tackled with knee caught on ground with hip flexed and internally rotated with 2 players jumping on his back as TUA was can suffer a hip dislocation. This is a "car accident" type force that no human can with withstand.
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
Tua's recovery from high ankle sprain surgery was quick with minimal missed time. Even @PatrickMahomes had 2 high ankle sprains this past season (Week 1 and 5, see https://t.co/dFDT8os6QG)
— 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
I am no GM, but medically speaking, if @Tuaamann was the consensus top pick of the draft before the hip injury, he should still be near the top of the board now. (end of thread)
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) April 11, 2020
So, there you have it. Tagovailoa is no more “injury-prone” than any other player who steps on a football field, per the former NFL doctor.
Now, if you want to discuss bad luck, that’s something that Tua has had his share of over the past 2 seasons, it seems.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
