On September 12, during the Bills-Dolphins Thursday Night Football game, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was visibly concerned after witnessing Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffer a concussion. Mahomes took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his support, posting several prayer hands emojis in response to the injury.
The incident happened late in the third quarter of Miami’s 31-10 defeat to Buffalo. On a crucial 4th-and-4 play, Tagovailoa attempted to advance the ball by scrambling in the pocket. As he was tackled by Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin, Hamlin’s knee made forceful contact with Tagovailoa’s head, causing it to snap back sharply before hitting the ground. The Dolphins quarterback appeared to be in significant pain, and his teammates quickly gathered around him while medical staff attended to him on the field. Subsequently, Tagovailoa was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Following the game, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel focused on Tagovailoa’s well-being rather than the specifics of his injury timeline. In his post-game press conference, McDaniel emphasized the importance of a thorough evaluation and expressed concern for his player’s immediate health. “Right now, it’s more about getting a proper procedural evaluation and taking it one day at a time,” McDaniel said. He stressed that the priority was understanding Tagovailoa’s condition and supporting him through the recovery process.
This latest concussion marks the third such injury for Tagovailoa since September 2022. His previous concussion in December 2022 had cast a shadow over his football career, heightening the concern surrounding his current condition. Given the severity of his injury history, McDaniel and the Dolphins are particularly attentive to his recovery.
Reactions from X users reflected widespread concern for Tagovailoa. Many commenters expressed empathy and questioned the long-term implications for his career and health. Suggestions ranged from discussing the potential for Tagovailoa to use protective equipment like the guardian cap to encouraging him to carefully consider his future in football. The general sentiment was one of worry for his long-term well-being and a call for reflection on whether continuing to play is worth the risks involved.
Devon Clements, covering the Chiefs and Colts for Heavy.com, brings insights from his extensive experience with NFL coverage. His previous work includes contributions to USA Today’s Sports Media Group and Sports Illustrated.
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