Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is seen leaving the field after suffering his third concussion in two years. He will be out for at least four games. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Miami Dolphins have placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve after he suffered his third concussion in two years. The injury occurred during last Thursday's game against the Buffalo Bills when Tagovailoa collided with defensive back Damar Hamlin while running for a first down. Instead of sliding, he lowered his shoulder into Hamlin, resulting in a serious head injury.
Immediately after the collision, players from both teams indicated that Tagovailoa was injured, and as he lay on the field, he exhibited signs associated with traumatic brain injury. After a brief period of being down, Tagovailoa stood up and walked to the sidelines, where team officials confirmed he had suffered a concussion.
Under NFL concussion protocol, Tagovailoa must undergo a series of tests and assessments before returning to play. He is expected to be sidelined for at least four games, making him eligible to return in Week 8 when the Dolphins face the Arizona Cardinals. However, his return is contingent on passing the necessary health checks.
Coach Mike McDaniel has expressed caution about speculating on the quarterback’s future, emphasizing that his primary focus is Tagovailoa’s health and recovery. McDaniel reiterated that any career decisions will be left to Tagovailoa himself, as it is deeply personal. The Dolphins are rallying around Tagovailoa, with teammates like receiver Jaylen Waddle stating that Tua is in "good spirits" and has been a positive presence around the team.
Concerns about head injuries have long surrounded Tagovailoa's career. In 2022, during a game against the Bills, he took a hit from linebacker Matt Milano, which caused him to slam into the ground. Although he appeared disoriented afterwards, the Dolphins allowed him to continue playing, claiming his stumble was due to a back injury. Days later, he suffered another blow during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, which resulted in him being knocked unconscious and carried off the field on a stretcher. These incidents prompted the NFL and the players’ union to revise their concussion protocols, barring players with balance issues from returning to games.
Despite these frightening experiences, Tagovailoa did not retire. Instead, he took steps to protect himself, including practicing jiu-jitsu ahead of the 2023 season to improve his ability to avoid hard hits. He also consulted with neurologists who assured him that he was not more vulnerable to head injuries than other players. However, the ongoing concern about concussions remains, and Tagovailoa’s long-term future in football remains a topic of discussion.
With Tagovailoa out, the Dolphins are expected to start backup quarterback Skylar Thompson for their upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks. The team has also signed Tyler Huntley from the Ravens' practice squad to provide additional support at quarterback.
