13 hours Ago By Sarah Hearon
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the third concussion of his young career — with some NFL legends urging him to urgently think about his future. In September 2024, Tagovailoa was ruled out of the Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills after a hit by Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin . The fifth-year quarterback issued a “fencing response,” a term used when an individual’s arms morph into an unnatural pose, often associated with concussions and brain trauma.
Members of the Dolphins’ medical staff attended to Tagovailoa on the field before he was able to walk off the field under his own power. Tagovailoa was eventually diagnosed with a concussion — following two separate concussions during the 2022 season — and later placed on injured reserve ruling him out of the team’s next four games. In the aftermath of his latest injury, many in the football world called on Tagovailoa to seriously consider hanging up the cleats.
You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News “I’m thinking retirement here,” Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez said on the Dolphins-Bills postgame show. “To me, it seems like a no-brainer.
The brain, this is something that can affect you long-term. For me, it’s time to move on.” Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe echoed the sentiment, sharing via X that Tagovailoa should “seriously think” about giving up football.
For more on Tagovailoa’s injury history, keep scrolling. Credit: Perry Knotts/Getty Images Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Suffers 3rd Concussion of NFL Career: Everything to Know About His Health Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the third concussion of his young career — with some NFL legends urging him to urgently think about his future. In September 2024, Tagovailoa was ruled out of the Dolphins’ game against the Buffalo Bills after a hit by Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin .
The fifth-year quarterback issued a “fencing response,” a term used when an individual’s arms morph into an unnatural pose, often associated with concussions and brain trauma. Members of the Dolphins’ medical staff attended to Tagovailoa on the field before he was able to walk off the field under his own power. Tagovailoa was eventually diagnosed with a concussion — following two separate concussions during the 2022 season — and later placed on injured reserve ruling him out of the team’s next four games.
In the aftermath of his latest injury, many in the football world called on Tagovailoa to seriously consider hanging up the cleats. "I'm thinking retirement here," Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez said on the Dolphins-Bills postgame show. "To me, it seems like a no-brainer.
The brain, this is something that can affect you long-term. For me, it's time to move on." Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe echoed the sentiment, sharing via X that Tagovailoa should “seriously think” about giving up football.
Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty Images What Did Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel Say About Tua Tagovailoa's Concussion? Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel ultimately said the decision would be Tagovailoa’s to make. "As far as Tua's career is concerned, I think it's of utmost priority of mind for Tua to speak on Tua's career," McDaniel said. "So I think reports are reports.
As far as I'm concerned, I'm just worried about the human being and where that's at day to day, and I think I'll let Tua be the champion of his own career and speak on that." Credit: Lynne Sladky/AP/Shutterstock Did Tua Tagovailoa Get a Concussion Against the Bills in 2022? Following a tackle during a September 2022 game against the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa left the game for a period of time to undergo concussion protocol. After returning – and helping the Dolphins win — he told reporters that he had a back injury.
“I hit my back and [it] kind of hurt and then I got up and that’s kind of why I stumbled," Tagovailoa said after the game. “My back kind of locked up on me. But for the most part, I’m good, passed whatever concussion protocol they had.
” He was listed as “questionable” going into Thursday’s game due to a “back/ankle” issue. Credit: Jeff Dean/AP/Shutterstock What Happened During the Bengals Game? During the second quarter of the Dolphins’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals in September 2022, Tagovailoa was taken off the field on a stretcher after he was sacked. He was seen curling his fingers while he was on the ground after the play, sparking concerns about a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
“Tua Tagovailoa is out of the game with head and neck injuries,” the team tweeted on Thursday, later adding: “Tua Tagovailoa has been taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. He is conscious and has movement in all his extremities.” The injury came four days after Tagovailoa appeared disoriented following a hit during the Dolphins game against Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 25.
After undergoing “concussion protocol,” he returned to the game. As a result of the back-to-back injuries, several athletes and sports personalities took to Twitter to voice concerns after the game. “Truth be told Tua should probably never have been playing.
He displayed neurological trauma last week, we disregarded it, labeled it a ‘back injury’ & let him back in the game,” former linebacker Emmanuel Acho tweeted. “Now, the whole world watch as he lay on the field helpless. When will we put player safety FIRST!” Former Seattle Seahawks star Sherman wrote, “Prayers up for TUA! That is heartbreaking to see.
” Credit: Willfredo Lee/AP/Shutterstock When Was Tua Tagovailoa Discharged? The following day, ESPN reported that Tagovailoa was in “good spirits” upon returning home. “MRI to come, possibly second opinion. Initial tests showed no structural damage,” Jeremy Fowler tweeted on Friday, September 30.
Credit: Doug Murray/AP/Shutterstock What Was Being Investigated About Tua Tagovailoa’s Injury? The National Football League Players Association looked into a “potential protocol violation" from the September 25 hit. “Player health and safety is at the core of the union's mission,” the union 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.” Credit: Peter Joneleit/AP/Shutterstock 'Several Mistakes' in the Initial Exam In October 2022, ESPN reported that the doctor who cleared Tagovailoa during the September 25 game was fired after an investigation found that there were "several mistakes" made during his evaluation. Bennet Omalu , the neuropathologist credited with connecting CTE to football injuries, also weighed in on the situation, telling TMZ that he hopes Tagovailoa retires.
“Tua, my brother. I love you,” the doctor said. “I love you as much as I love my son.
Stop playing. Stop. Hang your helmet and gallantly walk away.
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