MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left Thursday night against Buffalo because of a concussion after colliding with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.
Tagovailoa, who has a history of dealing with head injuries, remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands, appeared to smile and departed for the Dolphins’ locker room.
The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion.
Tagovailoa, who sustained multiple concussions his first three NFL seasons, positioned himself for a big pay bump with an injury-free and productive 2023. He threw for 29 touchdowns and a league-best 4,624 yards.
He signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 this season. Tagovailoa left the game with the Dolphins trailing 31-10.
Tagovailoa was hurt on a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight ahead into Hamlin and did not slide, leading with his right shoulder instead.
He wound up on his back, both his hands in the air and Bills players immediately pointed at Tagovailoa as if to suggest there was an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving to the sideline.
Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and gave him a kiss on the cheek as Tagovailoa departed. Skylar Thompson came into the game to take Tagovailoa’s spot.
Hamlin was the player who suffered a cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 at Cincinnati, causing the NFL to suspend a pivotal game that quickly lost significance in the aftermath of a scary scene that unfolded in front of a national television audience.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out of the upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills due to a concussion. The news comes as a blow to both the team and fans, as Tagovailoa has been a key player for the Dolphins this season.
The injury occurred during the Dolphins’ last game against the New England Patriots, when Tagovailoa took a hard hit to the head. He was immediately evaluated for a possible concussion and was placed in the league’s concussion protocol. After further evaluation, it was determined that he would not be able to play in the upcoming game against the Bills.
Concussions are a serious issue in football, as they can have long-lasting effects on a player’s health and well-being. It is important for players to take the necessary time to recover from a concussion before returning to the field to prevent further injury.
In Tagovailoa’s absence, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett will likely step in as the starting quarterback for the Dolphins. Brissett has experience as a starter in the NFL and will be looking to lead the team to victory in Tagovailoa’s absence.
The Dolphins will need to adjust their game plan without Tagovailoa at the helm, but they have a talented roster and coaching staff that will be able to adapt to the situation. Fans will be eagerly awaiting Tagovailoa’s return to the field, but his health and safety should always come first.
In the meantime, the Dolphins will be focused on preparing for their upcoming game against the Bills and will be looking to secure a win without their star quarterback. Tagovailoa’s health will be closely monitored, and he will only return to play when he is fully recovered from his concussion.
Overall, concussions are a serious issue in football, and it is important for players to take the necessary time to recover before returning to play. The Dolphins will be without Tua Tagovailoa for their upcoming game against the Bills, but they have a capable backup in Jacoby Brissett who will be looking to lead the team to victory. Fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Tagovailoa so that he can return to the field as soon as possible.