Fight sports can teach football plenty about short, medium-term effects of head trauma

This is a column by Morgan Campbell, who writes opinion for CBC Sports. For more information about CBC's Opinion section, please see the FAQ.

Videos hit social media midway through Wednesday afternoon — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa trotting on to the practice field, stretching, laughing, throwing spirals with that slingshot of a left arm.

One reaction: relief.

We hadn't seen Tagovailoa since Sept. 29, when he was carted off the field after getting knocked unconscious during a Thursday night game in Cincinnati. It was his first concussion of the season, technically, though he certainly looked woozy as he wobbled off the field after a blow to the head in a game against Buffalo the previous weekend. Officially, according to the Dolphins, the staggered gait stemmed from a back injury.

Either way, the sack in Cincinnati, in which Tagovailoa's head hit the turf as 345-pound defensive tackle Josh Tupou flung him to the ground, led to two weeks out of the spotlight, and speculation about how he might look when he eventually returned. Wednesday, Tagovailoa allayed concerns about his overall health. Alertness, balance, co-ordination — all there.

But, naturally, other questions arise. Will he play this week?

Zero chance, according to head coach Mike McDaniel.

"When talking about this week and playing, I don't see a scenario," he told reporters Wednesday.  "I do not plan to have him play at all."

Tua Tagovailoa throwing at Dolphins practice for the first time in two weeks<br><br>He also did some downfield throwing during the portion of practice open to the media — roughly 25-30 yards <a href="https://t.co/6ivEYaGLKE">pic.twitter.com/6ivEYaGLKE</a>

So when will Tagovailoa play again?

Unclear. He'll need to pass some