Tua Tagovailoa exits with a concussion during the Miami Dolphins’ loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. The atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium shifted dramatically as the quarterback lay on the field, surrounded by nearly ten medical staff members.
In that moment, it became clear to everyone present that Tagovailoa had suffered the third confirmed concussion of his professional career, evoking memories of past incidents that left fans and teammates alike deeply concerned.
The injury occurred when he dove headfirst into the arm of Bills safety Damar Hamlin during the game, which ended with a score of 31-10 in favor of Buffalo. After a brief period on the ground, Tagovailoa managed to sit up and walked to the sideline with head coach Mike McDaniel before heading to the locker room with trainers.
This latest concussion follows two documented incidents from the 2022 season, which prompted the Dolphins to sideline him for the remainder of that year after his second head injury.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Hamlin himself faced a medical emergency last season when he suffered a cardiac arrest on the field, requiring immediate resuscitation. This unfortunate coincidence serves as a reminder of the risks athletes face in contact sports.
At the time of his exit, Tagovailoa had completed 17 of 25 passes for 145 yards, including one touchdown and three interceptions. He had also absorbed a sack and endured three quarterback hits, highlighting the physical toll of the game.
This offseason, Tagovailoa signed a four-year contract worth $212 million with the Dolphins, indicating the team’s faith in his abilities. He also focused on shedding weight to improve his agility and mobility, a decision that, while beneficial, has also heightened concerns about his vulnerability to injuries.
