Miami Dolphins star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was rushed to the hospital Thursday night after sustaining a head injury while being sacked by a defensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Tagovailoa hit the back of his head on the ground when he was thrown on the ground by Bengals nose tackle Josh Tupou.
Tagovailoa laid on the ground for approximately 10 minutes before he was taken away on a stretcher and transported to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022. pic.twitter.com/D8S8eEbgda
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
What made the injury especially scary was the fact that Tagovailoa was hit hard the week before in a game against the Buffalo Bills, and he appeared to have balance issues as he stumbled off the field, a potential sign of a concussion.
Tua Tagovailoa is headed to the locker room after this hit by Matt Milano
Prayers up 🙏pic.twitter.com/u3cSEQpeKq
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 25, 2022
“I could tell it wasn’t the same guy that I was used to seeing,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “It was a scary moment. He was evaluated for a concussion. He’s in the concussion protocol, but he’s being discharged.”
“It’s an emotional moment,” he added. It’s not a part of the deal you sign up for. His teammates and myself were very concerned, but he got checked out and it’s nothing more serious than a concussion,” McDaniel continued.
Thursday Night Football sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung said that Tagovailoa was talking to his head coach after the hit and that the quarterback’s parents were headed to meet him at the hospital.
The football team said that the quarterback was conscious and had movements in all his extremities.
“QB Tua Tagovailoa is expected to be discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and will fly home with the team tonight,” the team tweeted around midnight EST.
QB Tua Tagovailoa is expected to be discharged from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and will fly home with the team tonight.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 30, 2022
The NFL Players Association said in a statement Thursday night that they have launched an investigation into the team’s handling of the Tagovailoa’s concussion check from last Sunday.
“Player health and safety is at the core of the union’s mission,” the NFLPA tweeted. “Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing.”
