The concussion protocol during week 5 in the NFL has gone crazy for the quarterbacks after the Tua Tagovailoa incident after back-to-back concussions.

The roughing-the-passer penalty is a rule which was implemented in an attempt to protect quarterbacks from hits that are deemed “unwarranted by the circumstances of the play” by the referees – in other words, hits that are way over the line. The rule has been updated over recent years to increase the protection offered to quarterbacks. However, recent events have increased when refs should call the penalty and how to access if it is ok to call.

First, Grady Jarrett was flagged for having roughed Tom Brady on Sunday on a third down that the Bucs needed as the Atlanta Falcons attempted to mount a comeback despite it looking like Jarrett had just tackled Brady. The resultant penalty helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold onto the ball and end the game with a win. And on Monday, the Chiefs’ Chris Jones was called for the same penalty after landing on Raiders QB Derek Carr, even though he stripped the ball and also appeared to brace his fall. Both of the fouls were bad calls by the refs and the fans went crazy on both of those plays. 

Also, Teddy Bridgewater Tua’s replacement suffered a blow to the head during his first snap of the game. Although Bridgewater passed his evaluation and had no symptoms, a spotter saw him stumble, according to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. The rules on roughing the passer have gotten out of hand on so many levels and the quarterbacks are getting a little favorited.