Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Sustains Third Concussion
In Miami, Dolphins quarterback _Tua Tagovailoa_ has faced another serious setback, suffering a concussion during Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. The injury happened in the third quarter when Tagovailoa collided with defensive back _Damar Hamlin_ and fell backward, hitting the back of his head on the turf.
After lying on the ground for about two minutes, he managed to get to his feet and walked slowly to the sideline. He was seen smiling and looking into the stands as he made his way toward the locker room. Almost immediately, the Dolphins announced that he was diagnosed with a concussion. This marks the third concussion of Tagovailoa’s professional career, following two he sustained in the 2022 season, as well as one during his time at Alabama.
In Tagovailoa’s absence, _Skylar Thompson_ took over as quarterback. “I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him,” Thompson said. “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.”
The Dolphins were down 31-10 when Tagovailoa left the game, which soon ended with that same score. Bills quarterback _Josh Allen_ expressed his support, stating, “If you know Tua outside of football, you can’t help but feel for him. He’s a great football player but an even greater human being.”
Throughout his college years and now in his NFL career, Tagovailoa has dealt with multiple injuries. He had an impressive season before this injury, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns. His recent $212 million contract extension has made him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Concerns about Tagovailoa’s long-term future have been raised, especially given his recent history with concussions. After last season, he openly stated that he contemplated stepping away from the game for his health. With this latest injury, his return this season remains uncertain.
Tagovailoa’s previous injuries have also led to changes in league protocols for player safety, as seen after a disorienting tackle in Week 3 of the last season. The incident prompted the NFL to regulate the concussion protocol more strictly, ensuring players showing any symptoms must sit out for the remainder of the game.
As the Dolphins look ahead, the health and well-being of Tua Tagovailoa are at the forefront of discussions in the organization and across the league. The football community continues to send their prayers and support to the young quarterback during this challenging time.
