Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion during Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills after colliding with a player in the third quarter. His teammates immediately called for trainers, and he eventually walked off the field under his own power. Tagovailoa’s wife and children met him in the locker room, where he was conscious and alert. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated that Tagovailoa was in good spirits but refused to comment on a timeline for his return. This is not the first time Tagovailoa has dealt with concussions, as he sustained two during the 2022 season.
Tagovailoa revealed that his parents urged him to consider retirement after his previous concussions, but he consulted a doctor and decided to keep playing. He is currently in his fifth season with the Dolphins and led the NFL in passing yards last season. The team signed him to a lucrative contract in July. Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa in the game, expressed concern and support for his teammate, emphasizing that the well-being of the person comes before the player.
The incident has raised concerns about player safety and the handling of head injuries in the NFL. Tagovailoa’s previous concussion led to a controversy involving the league’s concussion protocol and resulted in changes to better protect players. It remains to be seen how Tagovailoa’s recovery will progress and when he will be able to return to the field. Everyone in the organization is hoping for his swift recovery and well-being.
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