Union fires consultant for evaluation of Tua

The NFL Players Association has fired the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who evaluated Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he stumbled off the field against the Bills last weekend.

There are three unaffiliated neurotrauma consultants (UNC) at each game. They are jointly paid by the league and the players’ union to work with team physicians to diagnose concussions. The NFLPA is exercising its right to terminate the UNC directly involved in the decision to clear Tagovailoa, who sustained a concussion following a frightening hit just four days later at Cincinnati on Thursday night.

Tagovailoa initially seemed to exhibit concussion symptoms after the hit to his head during the home game against the Bills, but he was cleared by a team physician and UNC to return. He and the team later explained his legs were wobbly because of a back injury. After the hit on Thursday, when 6-foot-3, 340-pound Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou slammed him backward into the turf, Tagovailoa’s hands froze up and his fingers flexed awkwardly in front of his facemask for several seconds as he laid on the turf in Cincinnati. He remained on the ground for several minutes until he was taken away on a stretcher and sent to a hospital. He was released from the hospital and flew home with the team.

Auto racing: NASCAR driver Jordan Anderson suffered second-degree burns across his neck, face, right arm and both knees as he desperately jumped from his burning vehicle Saturday at Talladega Superspeedway. The 31-year-old journeyman was running fourth in the Truck Series race on Saturday when his truck spun across the track and flames began shooting from underneath the Chevrolet.

MLB: Shohei Ohtani has agreed to a $30 million deal with the Angels for the 2023 season in the two-way superstar’s final year of arbitration eligibility before free agency.