Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has reportedly suffered at least his third concussion during his NFL career during a home game against the Buffalo Bills on September 12. The incident occurred when the 26-year-old quarterback ran for a first down, colliding with Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
Following the hit, Tagovailoa displayed movements typical of a concussion as he lay on the field. Medical staff assessed him before he managed to walk off with a noticeable limp. He was subsequently ruled out for the rest of the game, which ended with the Dolphins losing 31-10 to the Bills. Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson took over playing duties.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel expressed his concerns about Tagovailoa’s condition after the game, stating, “I was just worried about my guy. It’s not something that you ever want to be a part of.” He mentioned that Tagovailoa was in good spirits despite the injury and he would undergo further evaluation the following day.
Tagovailoa has a documented history of concussions. Although he did not miss any games in the 2023 season, he suffered two concussions in 2022. His first concussion that season occurred in a game against the Bills, where he initially exited but later returned. This led to significant scrutiny, especially after he sustained another concussion in a subsequent game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He also suffered another concussion later that year against the Green Bay Packers.
His concussion issues date back to his college career at Alabama, where he was diagnosed with a concussion in 2019. As a result of his ongoing health concerns, discussions have arisen around whether Tagovailoa should consider retiring from football. Former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant emphasized the urgency of the situation, suggesting that Tagovailoa should retire for the sake of his long-term health.
Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez echoed those sentiments during a postgame show, saying, “If I’m him, at this point, I’m seriously considering retiring from football. This is something that can affect you long term.” Additionally, reactions from fans on social media have similarly expressed concerns about Tagovailoa’s future in the sport.
In an interesting twist, the injury occurred during a play involving Hamlin, who himself made headlines after suffering cardiac arrest during a game in January 2023. Following the game, Hamlin sent his well-wishes to Tagovailoa, expressing his support for a speedy recovery.