Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered his third diagnosed concussion in the NFL during a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. The injury occurred in the third quarter when Tagovailoa scrambled for a first down and lowered his shoulder into Bills safety Damar Hamlin. After a hard collision, Tagovailoa exhibited a “fencing response,” a sign of neurological trauma, leading to immediate medical attention on the field. He was able to walk off under his own power but was ruled out for the rest of the game due to concussion protocols.
This latest concussion raises concerns about Tagovailoa’s future, especially considering his injury history. The Dolphins’ quarterback has previously suffered multiple concussions, including two in the 2022 season, which led to missed games and changes to the NFL’s concussion protocol. While Tagovailoa managed to play all games during the 2023 season, his injury history continues to loom large.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the need for patience, stating, “The furthest thing from my mind is what is the timeline. We just need to evaluate and worry about my teammate.” McDaniel has refused to speculate on when Tagovailoa might return, focusing instead on the quarterback’s well-being. As of now, the Dolphins are preparing for their next game against the Seattle Seahawks without Tagovailoa. McDaniel also left open the possibility of placing him on injured reserve, which would keep him sidelined for at least four weeks.
Tagovailoa has been through a rigorous recovery process before, and his decision to continue playing despite his history of head injuries has been a point of conversation. He considered retirement after the 2022 season but ultimately returned to the field in 2023 after undergoing specialized training in jiujitsu to learn how to fall without hitting his head. He signed a four-year, $212.1 million contract extension in July 2023, affirming his commitment to the game.
Skylar Thompson, a third-year quarterback, is expected to step in as the starter if Tagovailoa is unable to play against the Seahawks. Thompson started three games as a rookie in 2022, including a playoff game against Buffalo. While McDaniel expressed confidence in Thompson’s abilities, the team is evaluating options to add a third quarterback to the roster for additional depth.
The Dolphins are carefully monitoring Tagovailoa’s recovery, with McDaniel making it clear that the quarterback’s health takes precedence over football. Whether or not Tagovailoa returns to the field this season, or even considers stepping away from the game entirely, will depend on how he progresses through the NFL’s concussion protocol. For now, the Dolphins will focus on moving forward with Thompson under center.
