Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was forced to leave Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills after sustaining a concussion following a brutal collision. The incident occurred late in the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium, with the Dolphins trailing 31-10 and facing a critical 4th-and-4 situation at the Bills’ 13-yard line.
Tagovailoa attempted to extend the play by scrambling up the middle for a first down. In an effort to gain additional yardage, he dove head-first, only to collide with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who was making the tackle. The force of the impact caused Tagovailoa’s head to slam into Hamlin’s midsection.
Immediately after the hit, Tagovailoa’s right arm extended awkwardly, and he instinctively grabbed his head with his left hand, signaling clear distress. Medical staff rushed onto the field, and Tagovailoa was helped to the sidelines before being taken to the locker room for further evaluation.
The Dolphins wasted no time in diagnosing Tagovailoa with a concussion. Given his history with head injuries, this latest incident will undoubtedly raise serious concerns for both the Dolphins and the NFL regarding his long-term health and availability.
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Tagovailoa, 26, has a known history of concussions, dating back to his time playing at the University of Alabama, where he suffered one.
More recently, in the 2022 NFL season, he sustained two documented concussions, an issue that sparked significant controversy and criticism surrounding player safety protocols.
His latest concussion will likely renew those discussions and prompt heightened scrutiny on how the Dolphins and the league handle his recovery process.
