Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Suffers Concussion in Loss to Bills

MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins faced tough challenges on Thursday night as they fell 31-10 to the Buffalo Bills. The outcome was overshadowed by a significant concern for the team: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game after suffering a concussion in the third quarter. This marks the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career, and there is currently no timeline for his return.

The injury occurred when Tagovailoa scrambled up the middle, successfully gaining a first down. Unfortunately, he collided helmet-first with the arm of Bills safety Damar Hamlin, leading to a concerning reaction. Tagovailoa displayed a fencing response, a sign of a serious head injury, as medical staff rushed to attend to him. Players from both teams kneeled in support as trainers evaluated Tagovailoa. While he could walk off the field, he was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel mentioned that Tagovailoa was in good spirits post-injury but didn’t delve into future plans for the quarterback. “Right now… it is more about getting a proper procedural evaluation tomorrow and taking it one day at a time,” said McDaniel. He emphasized the team’s focus on Tagovailoa’s health, stressing the need to evaluate the situation properly before making decisions.

Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson was visibly affected by the incident, stating, “I could see in Tagovailoa’s eyes that he wasn’t there all the way,” and expressed his deep concern for his teammate. With Tagovailoa out, third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson completed the game and may start against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, should Tagovailoa remain sidelined. McDaniel expressed confidence in Thompson’s abilities, recalling moments where he performed well under pressure.

The injury comes amid scrutiny from Tagovailoa’s past incidents. In 2022, he faced significant criticism for how a concussion was handled after a fall during a game against the Bills that led to a joint investigation by the NFL and NFLPA. Following similar incidents, Tagovailoa has had a total of four diagnosed concussions in the past five years, counting his time at Alabama.

As the team looks to gauge Tagovailoa’s condition moving forward, McDaniel reiterated that each situation is unique, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the present. “We’re going to handle this particular situation with this particular player,” he said. As the Dolphins and their fans await updates, many from the Bills expressed their concern and support for Tagovailoa, underscoring the shared humanity in the sport.