Injury Occurrence
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills after suffering a concussion, the team confirmed.
Collision with Damar Hamlin
Tagovailoa was injured during the third quarter when he collided headfirst with Bills safety Damar Hamlin after being sacked on a fourth down. As he lay on the field, his teammates quickly called for medical attention. Despite the severity of the incident, Tagovailoa was able to walk off the field under his own power.
Family Support in Locker Room
According to Amazon’s Kaylee Hartung, Tagovailoa later reunited with his wife and two children in the Dolphins’ locker room.
Condition Update
“We were told he was conscious, alert, and aware, just as he was when he walked off the field,” Hartung reported during the post-game broadcast. The Bills won the game 31-10. “We also received confirmation that he had full mobility in his limbs.”
Coach McDaniel’s Remarks
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the incident, said the quarterback was in good spirits. However, when asked about a potential timeline for Tagovailoa’s return, McDaniel refrained from giving any specifics.
Day-by-Day Recovery
“Right now, it’s more about following the proper procedures tomorrow and then taking it day by day,” McDaniel said in his post-game remarks. “The last thing on my mind is a timeline. We just need to assess things and go from there. Like everyone else, I’m concerned about my teammates. We’ll know more tomorrow and take it one step at a time.”
History of Concussions
Tagovailoa’s injury adds to his history of concussions. Last season, he missed several games after suffering two concussions. He experienced his first in a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals, where he displayed a “fencing response” after his head hit the ground.
NFLPA Involvement and Concussion Protocol Changes
The concussion in the Bengals game came just four days after a controversial incident against the Bills, where the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) criticized the Dolphins for not properly evaluating Tagovailoa for a concussion. Although he briefly left that game, he was not tested for a concussion, a decision that led to the NFLPA hiring an independent neurological trauma consultant to better oversee head injury protocols. This situation also resulted in changes to the NFL’s concussion protocols.
Additional Concussion in 2022
Later in the 2022 season, Tagovailoa suffered another concussion during a game against the Green Bay Packers, although he wasn’t diagnosed until the day after the game.
Tagovailoa’s Consideration of Retirement
Tagovailoa has previously acknowledged that his family urged him to consider retirement following his 2022 concussions. However, after consulting with doctors, he opted to continue playing.
Consultation with Doctors
“We met with doctors… I needed all the information to determine whether continuing to play was a good idea or not,” Tagovailoa told Meadowlark Media’s Dan Le Batard. He added that his family supported his decision to keep playing.
Career Highlights and Recent Contract
Now in his fifth season with the Dolphins, Tagovailoa was originally drafted fifth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Last season, he topped the NFL with 4,624 passing yards. Entering Thursday’s game, he held a career record of 33-19, with 82 touchdowns and 37 interceptions.
In July, the Dolphins signed Tagovailoa to a four-year, $212.4 million contract, including $167 million guaranteed.
Teammates React to Injury
Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa at quarterback following the injury, expressed his concern for his teammate.
Thompson’s Comments
“Seeing that happen to Tua made me sick,” Thompson said post-game. “As a player in this position, you never want your opportunity to come like this. I love Tua deeply. We’ve built a strong bond, and you care about the person, not just the player. Everyone in the organization would say the same thing. We’re all praying for Tua, and hoping for the best.
