Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, was rushed to a nearby hospital after suffering head and neck injuries during a sack in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
When Bengals nose tackle Josh Tupou sacked Tua Tagovailoa, he struck the back of his head on the ground and his arms instantly looked to lock up. Before being placed on a stretcher and hauled away, he was on the field for nearly 10 minutes.
The University of Cincinnati Medical Center hospital reported that he was conscious and moving all of his extremities just before halftime. After the game, they stated that Tagovailoa was anticipated to leave the hospital Thursday night and return with the team to Miami.
According to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa called for him when he fell.
I could tell that wasn’t the same man I was used to seeing, McDaniel said. He was assessed for a concussion and is now being discharged despite being in the concussion protocol.
“This is a sentimental time. It’s not covered by the contract you agree to. His buddies and I were really worried, but once he was examined, we learned that it was only a concussion.
As Tua Tagovailoa was brought off the field, the whole Dolphins team gathered at middle, and the crowd chanted, “Tua! Tua! “
The team initially listed Tagovailoa as questionable to return due to a head injury but later said it was a back injury that caused him to stumble. After hitting his head on the ground and stumbling while attempting to return to the huddle during Sunday’s victory over the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa underwent concussion examinations at halftime and later declared that he passed every test before eventually returning to the game.
Following Tua Tagovailoa’s prompt return to play, the NFL Players Association asked the league to reevaluate its concussion policies.
“At the heart of the union’s mandate is player health and safety. Tua is our main concern right now, and we’re hoping for a quick and complete recovery. Following Tagovailoa’s injury on Thursday night, the NFL Players Association issued a statement saying, “Our investigation into the possible protocol violation is ongoing.
After Sunday’s game, when asked if he was absolutely positive that Tua Tagovailoa was not concussed, McDaniel responded in the affirmative and mentioned that Tagovailoa had been given the all-clear by a different neurologist.
People don’t wander off. We leave that alone. That won’t ever be a problem as long as I’m the head coach, McDaniel said.
Following the Bills game, McDaniel was asked whether there was anything he could have done differently. He responded, “Absolutely zero patience for or will ever put a player in position for them to be in harm’s way. I have nothing to do with that. No game result could ever motivate me to act irresponsibly in my capacity as a football team’s head coach.
Prior to the game on Thursday night, Tagovailoa, 24, had spent the majority of the week on the injured report due to a back problem.
Tagovailoa was 8-for-14 for 110 yards and an interception before departing the game.
Tyreek Hill, a Dolphins receiver, claimed that during the second half, players questioned the quarterback’s status.
Football is only a part-time job, but that brotherhood is something that will live forever, said Hill. “You want to win the game, but obviously you want to make sure that your brother is okay.”
The Dolphins also had rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson available for the first time in his career. Teddy Bridgewater replaced Tagovailoa and went 14-for-23 for 193 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in the 27-15 loss.
Jaelan Phillips, a linebacker, claimed it was challenging to compartmentalise after seeing Tua Tagovailoa being carried away.
“Football is kind of all about that. Every day, we put compartmentalising into practise. We all adore Tua, so it’s really difficult to try to refocus, but we tried.
