Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa Hospitalized After Second Head Hit in Two Games

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was carted off the field on a stretcher during a game Thursday night after he appeared to experience his second head injury in less than a week when he was thrown to the ground, hitting his head on the turf.

The injury, in a nationally televised prime-time game, came only days after the N.F.L. players union began an investigation into the Dolphins’ handling of another head hit sustained by Tagovailoa in his previous game. The N.F.L. said this week that it welcomed that investigation, but Tagovailoa’s new injury is certain to renew questions about the league’s concussion protocols, and highlight concerns that head injuries in football need not be particularly violent to cause lasting damage to players.

Midway through the second quarter of a game between Miami and the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass around midfield. Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou grabbed Tagovailoa, spun him around and threw him to the ground. Tagovailoa’s elbow hit the ground first, and then the back of his helmet.

Tagovailoa immediately raised his hands with his fingers splayed, a gesture called a “fencing response” that can be a sign of brain injury. Dolphins trainers ran onto the field and, after several minutes, put Tagovailoa on a stretcher and wheeled him off the field while his concerned teammates stood nearby.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/29/sports/football/tua-tagovailoa-head-injury.html