Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in the third quarter of the team’s “Thursday Night Football” game against the Buffalo Bills.
While scrambling for a first down in the red zone with 4:24 to play in the quarter, Tagovailoa collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin and then crumpled to the ground. His upper body appeared to stiffen as his arms first went out to his side and then to his helmet. The 26-year-old was immediately attended to by teammates, who beckoned for the team medical staff to hurry out.
The injury comes two seasons after Tagovailoa missed extensive time with multiple head injuries in 2022. The first of those instances appeared to occur in Week 3 against the Bills, and Tagovailoa was allowed to return later in the game. Days later, he was cleared to play against the Cincinnati Bengals and was stretchered off the field after demonstrating a fencing response following a sack.
Tagovailoa’s process through the concussion protocol led to the NFL players’ union firing their independent neurotrauma consultant and the league later revising its concussion protocol policy. Later in the season, Tagovailoa re-entered concussion protocol after experiencing concussion symptoms in a game against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas.
On Thursday, Tagovailoa was ruled out with a confirmed concussion, just minutes after being helped off the field. He was replaced by Skylar Thompson at quarterback. Before exiting, Tagovailoa was 17-of-25 passing for 145 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.
This story will be updated.
(Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
