Bonus Podcast: Rachael Hearn on Tua Tagovailoa

After watching the disturbing scenes on Thursday Night Football, Ollie Connolly called up athletic trainer and CTE researcher, Rachael Hearn, to discuss: The NFL’s concussion protocol Diagnosing concussions What it means for the Dolphins to have diagnosed a back injury rather than a head injury last Sunday The feasibility of completing the protocol in two-to-four days The role of the team physician, the training staff, and the independent neurologist  What is second impact syndrome — and what does that mean for Tua? The fencing response What happens next The state of the NFL’s protocols  Legal liabilities What the NFL & NFLPA will be looking for in their investigation The differences between linear and rotational concussive forces The issues with concussion and CTE research — and what needs to change A whole bunch more A quick note: Ollie's audio makes him sound like a robot on this one! Fortunately, Rachael is the one doing the talking. If you have any questions related to concussion or medical/training staff protocols, let us know, and we put them to Rachael on a future podcast after the findings of the Tagovailoa investigation have been disclosed. You can message us at @Gridiron on Twitter.