On Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa reportedly suffered what may be his fourth concussion in about two years. Despite this setback, league insider Ian Rapoport indicates that Tagovailoa is determined not to let this injury end his football career.
According to Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Tagovailoa is consulting with a neurologist who specializes in head injuries to carefully evaluate his options for a safe return to play, if possible.
This concussion appears to be one of the most severe yet for Tagovailoa, as he may have briefly lost consciousness and required significant time on the field before being able to leave. The visible symptoms of hand posturing and contortions, often associated with a serious concussion, were noted.
Tagovailoa previously experienced three suspected concussions in 2022, with two occurring in close succession. After sustaining a head injury on September 25th, he returned to the field on September 29th under questionable circumstances, but after another hit, he showed similar signs of a serious concussion and was stretchered off.
At that time, there was concern that his career could be at risk due to the severity of his injuries, but Tagovailoa made a comeback later in the season, playing 13 games and leading the NFL in passer rating. Despite another concussion ending his season and keeping him out of the postseason, he returned in 2023 to play all 17 games, leading the NFL in passing yardage and earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
In an unusual twist, this latest concussion was caused by a hit from Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin, who himself faced a life-threatening medical emergency in 2022.
Tagovailoa’s resilience is noteworthy; despite undergoing ankle surgeries in 2018 and 2019 and enduring a severe injury that ended his college career, he was ready for the NFL draft in 2020 and was selected by the Dolphins. While his toughness is unquestionable, concerns about the safety of his return to the field persist. Fans and medical professionals alike will be hoping that he and his team prioritize his long-term health in any decision about his return.
