He was rendered unconscious for more than seven minutes before being stabilized and removed on a stretcher.
According to the team, Tua Tagovailoa of the Miami Dolphins was stretchered off the field during Thursday’s game after being slammed to the ground and suffering neck and head injuries, but the injury and scene sparked shock and outrage online, as well as questions about whether he should have played at all.
According to the Dolphins, Tagovailoa was “conscious and has movement in all of his extremities” when he was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further treatment. Later, Miami stated that he would be discharged and will return home with the team.
The alarming incident happened in Thursday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Ohio, when Tagovailoa was pursued down and sacked by the Bengals’ Josh Tupou with approximately six minutes left in the first half.
While on the ground, his hands froze in front of his face. After his facemask was removed, he was carried onto a backboard, stabilized, and attached to a stretcher for more than seven minutes.
Tagovailoa is in the concussion protocol, according to Dolphins head coach Adam Gase following the team’s 27-15 loss. He described it as a “scary moment.”
“All of his teammates, myself, we were all very concerned,” he said. “So, the best news that we could get is that everything has checked out, that he didn’t have anything more serious than a concussion.”
The incident occurred less than a week after Tagovailoa, 24, was forced to leave Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills after appearing disoriented. After sustaining a severe hit late in the first half, the club initially stated that he had a head injury. Tagovailoa returned after halftime.
“What happened to Tua was shameful,” Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, said Thursday night. “People should lose their jobs.”
Nowinski, a former WWE wrestler whose career was cut short by two concussions, believes Tagovailoa showed significant indicators of a concussion in Sunday’s game and should not have been permitted to return or play Thursday.
Hours before Thursday’s game, Nowinski tweeted that if Tagovailoa played, it would be a “massive step back” for concussion care in the NFL.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tweeted his condolences, and Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt said, “Stop showing the replays.” Please.”
The NFL said Wednesday that it was assessing whether the Dolphins followed the league’s concussion protocol while examining a probable head injury for Tagovailoa on Sunday, and that all indications were that they had, according to NFL.com.
According to NBC Sports, the NFL Players Association had requested a review into the decision to allow him to return to the game on Sunday.
After Sunday’s game against the Bills, the team and Tagovailoa both stated that he had a back issue, which caused his awkward slip and fall after being smashed into the turf in the second quarter.
Miami initially reported a head injury, but Tagovailoa later stated that he hurt his back on the tumble. He said he “hyper-extended” his back while attempting a quarterback sneak and having his legs entangled under someone.
“He’s not a neurologist, and he can’t self-diagnose a concussion,” Nowinski, who has fought for more awareness of the hazards of concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, said. He claims that two concussions in five days can end a career.
“What they did showed a complete lack of care for a human being,” Nowinski said of the Dolphins.
The Dolphins’ head coach, Josh McDaniel, stated Thursday night that if Tagovailoa had suffered a head injury during Sunday’s game against the Bills, “we would have reported him having a head injury.”
“If there’s any sort of inclination that someone has a concussion, they go into the concussion protocol,” McDaniel said in an interview. He stated that he would never put a player in harm’s way.
The NFL Players Association stated on Thursday night that its immediate priority was Tagovailoa’s health.
“Player health and safety are central to the union’s mission.” Tonight, our thoughts are with Tua, and we wish him a healthy and swift recovery. The union stated, “Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing.”
Former Dolphins tight end Shannon Sharpe was among many who questioned the Dolphins’ decision to play Tagovailoa.
“That’s a serious injury,” Sharpe said on Twitter. “Tua should not have been out there with the Sunday Thursday turnaround.” Sometimes players need to be shielded from themselves. Tua was let down by the Dolphins.”
Teddy Bridgewater took over for Tagovailoa in Thursday’s game.
Tagovailoa has been crucial to Miami’s season, which was unblemished at 3-0 entering Thursday’s game.
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