Raiders coach: Dolphins QB should retire after latest concussion
Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should consider retirement after suffering another concussion in Thursday’s loss to the Bills.
“I’ll be honest, I’d tell him to retire. It’s not worth it,” Pierce said during a Friday morning news conference. “I haven’t witnessed anything like I’ve seen that’s happened to him three times.”
Tagovailoa, who has a well-documented history of concussions, lowered his shoulder as he was scrambling for a first down in the third quarter Thursday.
His head contacted Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin’s body. Tagovailoa immediately dropped to the ground as he went into fencing response, typically a sign of a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.
“Scary,” Pierce said. “You could see right away the players’ faces on the field. You could see the sense of urgency from everyone to get Tua some help.”
Pierce, who was a linebacker in the NFL from 2001-09, said it’s important for players to consider life beyond the field.
“I just think at some point he’s going to live longer than he’s going to play football,” Pierce said. “Take care of your family.”
The Raiders play at Baltimore on Sunday. They will play at Miami on Nov. 17.
Former first-rounder ‘excited’
Defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson joined the Raiders’ practice squad Tuesday, but said he’s ready to go if the team needs him Sunday.
“Hell yeah,” Chaisson said at his locker Friday. “There’s nothing stopping me. As long as I wake up in the morning, I can get up off the bed and go play. Obviously, thankful for the opportunity and with a short week still trying to get acclimated to the team and playbook and culture, but football is football at the end of the day. Go get the man with the ball and if you take it away, you win the game.”
There’s a good chance the Raiders choose to make Chaisson active Sunday. Defensive end Malcolm Koonce (knee) is on injured reserve and defensive end Tyree Wilson (knee) is also out against the Ravens.
“We’ll see,” Pierce said when asked if Chaisson would play. “He’s looked good so far. (He’s) just getting used to our system and scheme, making sure he’s in shape and ready to go. Don’t want to put somebody out there if they’re not physically ready to do it or mentally (ready).”
Chaisson seems anxious to suit up. He was selected 20th overall in the 2020 draft by the Jaguars. He signed a free-agent deal with Carolina this offseason but didn’t make the team out of camp.
The 25-year-old, who has five sacks in 57 NFL games, is eager to show his potential.
“The answer I want to politically give you is I have nothing to prove to anyone,” Chaisson said. “But I’d be lying if I told you that. … I feel like I have every reason to be pissed off and go out there and show it and play that way. It’s all up to me to continue to be that way. Once again, God has given me the opportunity to go out here and be on this grass playing in the NFL. The ball is in my court. I have to do whatever it takes.”
Chaisson, whether he suits up this week or not, feels rejuvenated after joining the Raiders.
“I’m so excited,” Chaisson said. “I’m not going to lie, it’s been a while since I’ve felt this energy and had the juices in my body going like this. I feel like the culture and everything the Raiders stand on is everything I embody, so I’m proud to be a part of this team for sure.”
Injury report
Rookie cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) is the only Raiders player ruled out for Sunday besides Wilson.
Rookie left guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (illness) is questionable. He missed the season opener against the Chargers on Sept. 8 and was a limited participant in practice this week.
Pierce said Powers-Johnson will be a game-time decision Sunday.
For the Ravens, rookie first-round pick Nate Wiggins (neck) is out. Coach John Harbaugh said Friday the cornerback was involved in an auto accident earlier this week.
“He’s healthy and he’s fine,” Harbaugh said. “He’s just not going to be able to play.”
Linebacker Adisa Isaac (hamstring) is doubtful for the Ravens after being a limited participant in practice all week. Linebacker Kyle Van Noy (eye) is questionable after practicing Friday for the first time this week on a limited basis.
Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.