In a single play, everybody was reminded of the narrative surrounding Tua Tagovailoa by the 2023 offseason.
Tagovailoa suffered a number of concussions throughout the 2022 season, together with a scary one on a Thursday night time sport towards the Cincinnati Bengals. He mentioned he thought-about retirement after the season although in the end determined to proceed his soccer profession. Tagovailoa’s long-term well being was a speaking level proper up till final season began.
On Thursday night time, he had one other scary second.
Tagovailoa ran for a primary down on a fourth-and-4, and with the Dolphins trailing 31-10 he wasn’t sliding on the 4:36 mark of the third quarter. Tagovailoa put his head down and barreled into Buffalo Payments security Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa stayed down after the exhausting hit. He tried to rise up however could not within the second. He prevented these varieties of hits final season however the hit Thursday took him out of the sport.
Tagovailoa ultimately bought up, limped off the sector and was taken to the locker room. Skylar Thompson changed him. The Payments would cruise to a 31-10 victory.
The Dolphins dominated Tagovailoa out shortly after and reported that he had a concussion. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel mentioned a timeline on when Tagovailoa would possibly return was the “furthest factor from my thoughts.” He was requested what his response was seeing Tagovailoa get concussed once more.
“My thought was concern,” McDaniel mentioned. “Simply apprehensive about my man. It’s not one thing you ever wish to be part of.”
In July, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract. The concerns about Tagovailoa and his well being weren’t forgotten, however that they had light deep into the background after he performed in each sport final season the place he threw for profession highs in yardage (4,624) and touchdowns (29). After Thursday night time, all the worries about Tagovailoa and his well being will likely be renewed.
Dolphins trailed massive earlier than Tua Tagovailoa knocked out of sport
The Payments have owned the Dolphins since drafting Josh Allen and that did not change Thursday night time. Buffalo bought three touchdowns from James Prepare dinner, a defensive TD and cruised within the second half. They’re 2-0 to begin the season.
Tagovailoa threw three interceptions, together with a pick-6 that each one however ended the sport at 9:37 within the third quarter. The turnover occurred when Tagovailoa, below stress, threw blindly on third down towards the sideline. It became a simple interception and landing return by cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram. That made the rating 31-10.
The night time bought rather a lot worse for the Dolphins with Tagovailoa’s head damage.
Thompson, who completed 8-of-14 for 80 yards, expressed concern for his teammate.
“I’ll let you know what, it makes me sick,” Thompson advised reporters after the sport. “It sucks.
“I’ve plenty of love for Tua, constructed an awesome relationship with him. Care concerning the individual greater than the participant, and everyone within the group would say the identical factor.”
Allen additionally had variety phrases and sympathy for his fellow quarterback.
“You’ll be able to’t assist however really feel for him,” Allen mentioned on the Amazon Prime Video postgame present. “He’s an awesome soccer participant however he’s a fair better human being. He’s top-of-the-line people on the planet. I bought plenty of love for him and simply praying for him and his household.”
Damar Hamlin expresses love, whereas others surprise if Tua ought to name it a profession
Hamlin, who had his personal traumatic occasion on an NFL discipline, posted well-wishes on X to the person he tackled.
My love and prayers with @Tua fasho.. Sending you power and therapeutic for a speedy restoration. 🙏🏾 a lot love broski.
— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) September 13, 2024
Earlier than that, a few former NFL stars puzzled if Tagovailoa ought to contemplate retirement. On the streaming broadcast, Corridor of Famer Tony Gonzalez mentioned, “Tua’s future? I’m pondering retirement right here.”
Former Seahawks star cornerback Richard Sherman mentioned in a while the postgame present, “You all the time wish to preserve going, but when I am him, I am with you Tony, I feel you have to go dwelling.”
Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant echoed that on social media.
That’s it….
NFL go forward and do the proper factor
Tua has had solely approach too many concussions
He must retire for his longevity well being issues
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 13, 2024
Tagovailoa mentioned he had thought-about retirement after he suffered a number of concussions throughout the 2022 season. The priority for him after Thursday night time is not simply when he would possibly return from this concussion, however for his long-term well being.