Tua Tagovailoa injury/ Dolphins quarterback concussion/ NFL player head injury/ Newslooks/ MIAMI GARDENS/ Fla./ Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion after a hit during a game against the Buffalo Bills. This marks his third documented concussion in the NFL. Head coach Mike McDaniel stated that Tagovailoa will undergo further evaluations.
Tua Tagovailoa Concussion Quick Looks:
- Third Concussion: Tagovailoa suffered his third NFL concussion during the Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills.
- Injury Details: The injury occurred after a collision with Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin, leading to Tagovailoa hitting his head on the turf.
- Immediate Reaction: Tagovailoa was evaluated quickly, and the Dolphins confirmed the concussion minutes after the injury.
- Previous Injuries: Tagovailoa’s career has been marked by concussions, with two documented in the 2022 season.
- Player and Team Response: Teammates, opponents, and Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel expressed concern for his health, prioritizing his well-being over a quick return.
Tua Tagovailoa Suffers Concussion in Dolphins’ Loss to Bills
Deep Look:
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion during the third quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills, marking the third known concussion in his NFL career. The injury occurred after Tagovailoa collided with Buffalo’s defensive back Damar Hamlin and hit the back of his head on the turf while attempting to run for a first down on a fourth-down play. After remaining on the ground for nearly two minutes, Tagovailoa walked off the field with assistance before being escorted to the locker room for further evaluation.
The Dolphins wasted no time in announcing that Tagovailoa had suffered a concussion, adding to a concerning history of head injuries for the young quarterback. The 26-year-old has experienced multiple concussions throughout his football career, two of which occurred during the 2022 NFL season. Tagovailoa’s injury in Thursday’s game comes as a significant blow to the Dolphins, who were trailing the Bills 31-10 when he exited the field. His replacement, Skylar Thompson, finished the game, but the Dolphins were unable to mount a comeback, ending the contest with the same score.
Head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the media after the game, emphasizing that the team’s priority was ensuring Tagovailoa received proper medical care. “The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and worry about my teammate,” McDaniel said, indicating that Tagovailoa will be further assessed on Friday. McDaniel did not speculate on when or if the quarterback could return to play this season.
Several teammates expressed their support and concern for Tagovailoa’s well-being. Skylar Thompson, who stepped in for Tagovailoa after the injury, shared his thoughts, saying, “You care about the person more than the player. Everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hoping everything will come out all right.”
The injury also drew comments from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who praised Tagovailoa’s character. “He’s a great football player, but he’s an even greater human being,” Allen said post-game. “I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family.”
This is not the first time Tagovailoa’s career has been overshadowed by injury concerns. After being drafted by the Dolphins, he struggled with various injuries, including two significant concussions during the 2022 season. In one incident, Tagovailoa was concussed after a hard hit during a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals, an injury that briefly rendered him unconscious. That event prompted the NFL to revise its concussion protocols to require any player showing symptoms like instability or balance issues to be removed from the game.
Before his concussions in the 2022 season, Tagovailoa was already dealing with injuries dating back to his college years at Alabama. The Dolphins’ starting quarterback has long been viewed as a promising player, and in 2023, he managed to have an injury-free season, leading the Dolphins into the playoffs and positioning himself as one of the league’s top passers. His strong performance last year led to a lucrative four-year, $212 million contract extension that cemented his role as the face of the Dolphins franchise.
However, Tagovailoa’s latest injury reignites concerns about his long-term health and future in football. Earlier in 2023, he admitted that he had considered retirement after his 2022 concussions, telling reporters in April that the repeated injuries had forced him to contemplate his future. “I think I considered it for a time,” Tagovailoa said at the time, though he ultimately chose to return for the 2023 season after studying techniques aimed at preventing further concussions, such as jiu-jitsu falls to protect his head during tackles.
On Thursday night, Tagovailoa was hurt while attempting to gain yardage on a quarterback keeper. Instead of sliding to avoid contact, he led with his shoulder, colliding directly with Hamlin. Bills players, recognizing the seriousness of the hit, immediately signaled to Dolphins trainers, and Tagovailoa’s own teammates followed suit. On the ground, Tagovailoa’s hands showed signs of what is known as the “fencing response,” a telltale reaction often seen after traumatic brain injuries.
As he left the field, Dolphins coach McDaniel embraced Tagovailoa, placing a hand on the quarterback’s head and offering words of encouragement. Thompson replaced Tagovailoa for the remainder of the game. For McDaniel, protecting Tagovailoa remains the top priority, saying, “I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands. I’m just worried about the human being.”
The exact timeline for Tagovailoa’s return remains unclear. Given his history of head injuries, the Dolphins will likely approach his recovery with extreme caution. In the past, Tagovailoa has been sidelined for extended periods after similar injuries, including his second concussion in 2022, which ended his season early.
As Tagovailoa continues to be evaluated, questions surrounding his future in football are likely to persist. While he has shown resilience in returning from injury before, the long-term effects of repeated concussions are a serious concern, both for the Dolphins and for Tagovailoa’s health beyond the game.
