Tua Tagovailoa is in a "very tough spot" after suffering another concussion during Thursday Night Football , according to a brain expert.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback got injured during the team's 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday evening, after a heavy collision with safety Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa kept the ball on fourth down and four in an attempt to keep the offensive drive alive but suffered a collision with Bills safety Hamlin.
Following the impact, the quarterback was seen writhing in pain on the ground as his teammates urgently signaled for medical assistance. A slow-motion replay of the incident showed Tagovailoa's neck whipping back upon contact with Hamlin, causing him to fall onto his back, his arm raised and hand clenched into a fist.
A brain expert who observed the game stated that Tagovailoa had suffered a "traumatic brain injury" and claimed he needs to sit out the Dolphins' next regular game. Dr. Chris Nowinski, a neuroscientist and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, posted about the severity of the injury on social media, stating there is no "magic number" of concussions that signals when an athlete should retire.
Dr. Nowinski wrote on X: "Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question. His right arm shows the "fencing posture" indicating loss of consciousness and is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game."
The "fencing posture" Dr. Nowinski refers to is a significant indicator of concussion, characterized by an involuntary, immediate tonic posturing of the limbs, as per the National Institutes of Health. This action can occur when moderate force is applied to the brain stem.
Dr. Nowinski also highlighted the challenges Tagovailoa faces due to his history of concussions, adding: "There is no magic number of concussions to require retirement. It all depends on how he recovers from this one, but having too many concussions can lead to chronic symptoms and mental health disorders. He's in a very tough spot."
The Dolphins quarterback has a history of brain injuries on the field, including a concerning incident in 2022 against the Bills, where he attempted to walk back to the huddle and ended up stumbling. Just days later, Tagovailoa took another hard hit against the Cincinnati Bengals, causing his fingers to lock up in an unnatural position.
Previously, the young quarterback opened up about how concussion injuries had him thinking about retirement, but ultimately confirmed his commitment to stay in the NFL.
Tagovailoa told reporters last April: "I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to where my son knew exactly what he was watching his dad do. Yeah, it's my health, it's my body. I feel like this is what's best for me and my family. I love the game of football. If I didn't, I would've quit a long time [ago]."
Amid concerns, Tagovailoa enhanced his off-season training with weekly judo sessions - a strategy that appeared successful as he avoided any head injuries throughout the 2023 season. Yet, after suffering another alarming concussion in a recent game against the Bills, the future might bring medical recommendations that are the opposite to what he hopes for.
As per the NFL's strict concussion protocols, Tagovailoa will have to sit out at least one game, including a key match-up against the Seattle Seahawks. He faces potential placement on the injured reserve list, which could see him sidelined for at least four regular-season games.
Tagovailoa is likely to be out for more than a month, with his expected return being the team's week seven matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on October 20, following their bye week. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa was in "good spirits" but admitted he was worried, stating: "It's not something you ever want to be a part of."
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