Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa experienced his third concussion in the NFL following a collision with Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin during a Thursday night game. The incident occurred when Tagovailoa, in an attempt to advance the ball, collided with Hamlin and hit the back of his head on the field. The collision resulted in Tagovailoa being on the ground for approximately two minutes before he managed to get up and walk to the sideline. Despite a smile and a brief glance at the stands, he proceeded to the locker room.
The Dolphins promptly announced that Tagovailoa had sustained a concussion. This marks Tagovailoa’s third recorded concussion, having suffered two during the 2022 NFL season and another while at Alabama during his college career. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Tagovailoa would undergo a thorough evaluation and receive appropriate care the following day. McDaniel stressed that the immediate priority was Tagovailoa’s health rather than the timeline for his return, stating, “We need to evaluate and focus on my teammate, just like the rest of the team is.
After the game, some teammates who saw Tagovailoa in the locker room were reassured by his condition. Quarterback Skylar Thompson, who stepped in after Tagovailoa’s injury, expressed concern for his teammate, emphasizing that the well-being of the person is more important than that of the player. “We’re all praying for Tua and hoping for a positive outcome,” Thompson remarked.
Tagovailoa, who recently signed a four-year, $212 million contract extension, had a stellar start to the season and led the league in passing yards in Week 1. However, he exited the game with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, which ended up being the final score.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen also expressed his sympathy, highlighting Tagovailoa’s admirable character. Allen noted, “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 person.
Tagovailoa’s career has been marred by injuries, including his struggles with concussions. His strong performance in the 2023 season was seen as a turnaround after a challenging 2022. Despite leading the Dolphins to the playoffs with impressive statistics—29 touchdowns and a league-leading 4,624 passing yards—Tagovailoa’s health remains a significant concern.
The injury occurred during a fourth-down play with around 4:30 left in the third quarter. Tagovailoa, who did not attempt to slide, collided head-on with Hamlin. This collision brought back memories of Hamlin’s own health scarea cardiac arrest suffered during a January 2023 game in Cincinnati, which had led to the postponement of a key game.
On the field, Tagovailoa ended up lying on his back with both hands raised, a posture that can indicate a serious head injury. Bills players pointed out the injury, and Dolphins center Aaron Brewer signaled for assistance. While on the ground, Tagovailoa was observed making a fist with his right hand—a movement known as the “fencing response, which can occur after a significant head trauma.
Eventually, Tagovailoa stood up, and McDaniel, showing concern, touched the side of his head and gave him a reassuring kiss on the cheek before he left the field. Von Miller, a Bills edge rusher, also expressed support, saying, I’m a huge fan of him. I can understand and sympathize with him because I’ve been in similar situations. I wish him the best.”
Tagovailoa’s concussion history and efforts to mitigate further injuries, including learning jiu-jitsu for better fall protection, are significant parts of his career narrative. Coach McDaniel summed up the focus, saying, “I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands. I’m just focused on the person.
