Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career during Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. The injury occurred after Tagovailoa collided with defensive back Damar Hamlin and hit the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa remained on the ground for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline in the third quarter. He eventually made his way to the tunnel, taking a moment to look into the stands and smile before heading to the locker room.
The Dolphins quickly confirmed it was a concussion. Tagovailoa had previously been diagnosed with two concussions during the 2022 season, and another during his college career at Alabama.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel assured that Tagovailoa would receive thorough evaluation and appropriate care. “The furthest thing from my mind is, ‘What is the timeline?’ We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are,” McDaniel stated. He added that more information would be available the following day, with the team’s focus set on taking it day by day.
Some Dolphins players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and were encouraged by his condition. He spoke with a few teammates before heading home. Quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury, expressed his concern and hope for his teammate, emphasizing the personal bond they share. “You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right,” Thompson remarked.
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million contract extension before the season, positioning him as one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. He led the league in passing yards during Week 1. The Dolphins were trailing 31-10 at the time of his departure, which ended up being the final score.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen echoed the sentiments of many, expressing his admiration and concern for Tagovailoa. “He’s a great football player but he’s an even greater human being. He’s one of the best humans on the planet,” Allen said. “I’ve got a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family, hoping everything’s OK.”
Tagovailoa’s career has been overshadowed by injuries since his college days, but he rebounded with an impressive 2023 season, throwing for 29 touchdowns and leading the league with 4,624 yards. His football future now remains uncertain as he contemplates the impact of repeated concussions. He admitted in April 2023 that he had considered stepping away from the game to safeguard his health.
McDaniel refrained from speculating on Tagovailoa’s future in football. “He’ll be evaluated and we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate,” he said.
The injury happened in the third quarter when Tagovailoa ran a fourth-down keeper play and collided with Hamlin. Tagovailoa did not slide, opting to lead with his right shoulder, which resulted in him being tackled and hitting his head on the ground. Hamlin is known for suffering a cardiac arrest during a tackle in a 2023 game, a memory that likely resurfaced for many watching.
As soon as Tagovailoa was down, players from both teams signaled for medical attention. Tagovailoa lay on his back, raising his hands in a manner consistent with the “fencing response,” a common reaction to traumatic brain injury.
After getting to his feet, McDaniel showed a poignant moment of support, holding Tagovailoa’s head and kissing his cheek. Skylar Thompson then took over as quarterback for the Dolphins.
Fresh concerns about Tagovailoa’s long-term health have surfaced, given his history with concussions. In 2022, he suffered two significant concussions, one in a game against Buffalo where he appeared disoriented but was cleared to return, and another during a game against Cincinnati where he was briefly knocked unconscious and stretchered off the field.
To counter the risks, the NFL revised its concussion protocols, mandating players showing any concussion symptoms to sit out the remainder of the game. Tagovailoa continued to seek ways to protect himself from further injury, even studying jiu-jitsu techniques to learn how to fall more safely.
McDaniel remains focused on Tagovailoa’s well-being, saying, “I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands. I’m just worried about the human being.”
