Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion in his NFL career, leaving the game against Buffalo on Thursday night. The injury occurred in the third quarter when he ran into a defensive back and hit the back of his head on the turf. Tagovailoa was down for two minutes before walking to the sideline and later to the locker room, where he was diagnosed with a concussion.
Head coach Mike McDaniel stated that Tagovailoa would receive proper evaluation and care, focusing on his well-being before considering his return to the field. Tagovailoa’s teammates showed concern for him, with quarterback Skylar Thompson expressing support and care for him.
Tagovailoa’s history of concussions dates back to his college and early NFL years, but he had been injury-free and productive in the 2023 season before this incident. The quarterback signed a lucrative contract extension before the season and had led the team to the playoffs last year.
The uncertainty remains about Tagovailoa’s return to the game this season, as he had previously considered his playing future after experiencing concussions in 2022. McDaniel emphasized the importance of evaluating the situation and making decisions based on Tagovailoa’s well-being.
The injury raised concerns about player safety in football, especially regarding head injuries and concussion protocols. Tagovailoa’s previous concussions and efforts to protect himself from further injury through studying techniques like jiu-jitsu are part of his career story. The Dolphins will continue to monitor his condition and provide updates on his recovery.
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