Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion during Thursday night's 31-10 loss vs. the Buffalo Bills.
With 4:30 left in the third quarter Tua ran the ball up the middle on a 4th down & four yards to go play.
Tua Tagovailoa having another one of them concussions. PRAY! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/iugiuGKRR7
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) September 13, 2024
That is to say, after colliding with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, he laid on the ground for quite some time. To note, the posture of Tua following the initial impact indicates that he most likely definitely suffered head trauma.
In particular, his right hand curled up into a fist immediately after getting hit, and this more often than not is a sign of a loss of consciousness.
THIS IS AWFUL… #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa took a hit from Damar Hamlin and his reaction to getting his head hit was awful.
💔💔💔
Tua has dealt with multiple concussions throughout his career…
Most of his teammates are praying on the field
pic.twitter.com/qVm6Bz8tQD— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) September 13, 2024
To point out, this was eerily similar to previous reactions Tua had during the 2022 NFL season, which caused him to miss some games. Notably during Week 3 (2022), Tua had a blow to the head in a matchup that was also vs. the Bills (21-19 win), as he hit his head on the field after being knocked backwards. This went viral with Tua appearing to be dizzy and not able to stand up straight as his teammates tried to help him keep his balance.
No idea how Tua cleared concussion protocol to get back in the game after this. He’s clearly not okay…sit the rest of this one out man, it’s week 3…it’s not like it’s playoff season stuff on the line pic.twitter.com/1yDf1Uz2Wi
— Mark Dalton (@themarkdalton) September 25, 2022
Nevertheless, after leaving the game early, he somehow passed concussion protocol that week and four days later he appeared in a "Thursday Night Football" game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals (27-15 loss), in which Tua then tragically suffered a similar hit after being sacked, with his head recoiling after hitting the ground.
Very scary as Tua Tagavailoa goes down after a sack, looks like it may have been the second concussion in 4 days. Really not good. pic.twitter.com/2u0Leb69O5
— Dr. Lös Real Polyamorous Tantric Sex Guru (@LosRealAli) September 30, 2022
In view of this play, it was more severe, and it almost mirrored how Tua reacted tonight, as he raised his hands immediately along with his fingers rolling up, which is a neurological response to head trauma.
Tua's head hits the turf and it looks as though he's lost control over his fingers. this, 4 days after a possible concussion on Sunday, feels very very unsafe and preventable pic.twitter.com/02WvoxbwLC
— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) September 30, 2022
Ultimately, when this happened, he was stretchered off the field and transported to the local medical center hospital in Cincinnati. The severity of the injury, caused many to question if Tua should retire, as he even admitted that he contemplated it himself.
🚨In 2022 #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa discussed contemplating retirement due to multiple concussions.
After another brutal and scary hit to the head tonight resulting in ANOTHER concussion, you have to wonder if this was the last #NFL game of his career.pic.twitter.com/3HfpoWN7VZ https://t.co/SXpcbH2PYf
— The Fantasy Football Know It Alls (@FF_Know_It_Alls) September 13, 2024
Even more, he entered concussion protocol yet again that season after a Christmas Day game vs. the Green Bay Packers (26-20 loss).
Sadly, it happened.
Tua Tagovailoa is in the #concussion protocol after reporting symptoms today, likely from this play in Q2 ⬇️. Missed by team again, despite poor play & 3 INT's after. 3rd concussion of season-no doctor in their right mind can clear him this year. Season over. https://t.co/qbZLlgvk5S pic.twitter.com/NcMb5ZGOf4— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) December 27, 2022
Being that, in view of tonight's TNF injury, there will be even more questions regarding the future of Tua's NFL career, as this past offseason he signed a 4-year/$212.4M contract extension with the Dolphins, but the uncertainty surrounding his health looms large.
After leaving the field vs. the Bills, Tua spent the remainder of the game being checked on by the medical staff in the locker room.
Tua Tagovailoa has now suffered 4 concussions since 9/25/24
I would assume he and his family have serious conversations about retirement.
He had strongly contemplated it after his last one in 2022.Sad to see. Prayers up for him. https://t.co/qSF4hRDKqF pic.twitter.com/BpwmJtSPTj
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 13, 2024
To point out, this is the Dolphins QB's fourth concussion (third official one in NFL career) and he is only starting his fifth season.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel on Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and fencing response pic.twitter.com/e6L3zb7JC5
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) September 13, 2024
According to CBS Sports HQ injury expert Marty Jaramillo, Tua could be out at least eight to 12 weeks depending on the test results, and he noted that retirement should be considered for the 26-year-old quarterback.
"Textbook sign of a severe head injury," Jaramillo said to CBS Sports. "He hit his head twice. First on the tackle, second on landing. This young man simply doesn't have the luxury of having multiple concussions and [then thinking] he will have a long career. ... [It's] not fair to himself and his family."
Josh Allen on Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion: “Understanding what’s happened in the past, just know I’m praying for him and his family. He’s a great football player but I’ve been around him outside the football field & he’s an even more amazing human... Hope everything is alright.” pic.twitter.com/qWz0FVFY93
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) September 13, 2024
Related: NFL's Solution To Detecting Concussions Already Exists, They're Just Not Using It
