Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Stretchered Off vs. Bengals

The former Alabama quarterback was removed and carried off midway through the second quarter.

Author:
Hunter De Siver
Publish date:
Sep 29, 2022 9:44 PM EDT

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was taken off the field by stretcher with 5:43 remaining in the second quarter of Thursday night's game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Alabama Crimson Tide product was thrown onto his back by defensive tackle Josh Tupou, with the back of his head hitting the synthetic turf at Paycor Stadium. He initially appeared to be unresponsive, with his arms raised up and his fingers in a locked position.

"It was a scary moment," Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said during his postgame press conference.

It was reported by the on-field reporter of the Amazon Prime broadcast that he had suffered head and neck injuries and was being taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The Dolphins subsequently reported on Twitter that Tagovailoa was conscious and has movement in all his extremities.

By the end of the 27-15 victory for the Bengals, Kaylee Hartung added to her report that Tagovailoa was expected to be discharged from the hospital and travel back to Miami with the team.

"(Tua) was evaluated for a concussion and is in the concussion protocol," McDaniel added. "He was at the hospital and is about to get discharged. That was an emotional moment."

Before he left, Tagovailoa was 8-for-14 for 110 yards with one interception.

Teddy Bridgewater replaced Tagovailoa after the long delay that had players and coaches on both sides showing concern and support, and Cincinnati fans chanting Tua's name.

Tua Tagovailoa Injury at Cincinnati

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Tagovailoa went into the game with a back injury suffered last week against the Buffalo Bills, although the players' union asked for an investigation on whether the Dolphins had followed correct concussion protocols.

The NFL confirmed on Wednesday that a review is ongoing into whether the Dolphins followed the league's concussion protocol Sunday when examining a possible head injury for Tagovailoa from the Miami victory, and said that every indication is that the protocol was followed.

Tagovailoa was listed as questionable to play in Cincinnati, but started.

The injury sparked a massive controversy with Chris Nowinski, the founding CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation tweeting that the Miami Dolphins “should go to jail for letting him play five days after an obvious concussion you covered up. If he dies from second-impact syndrome, I’m pushing for murder charges.”

In response, the union tweeted: "Player health and safety is at the core of the union's mission. Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing."

The injury could also bring into question the league having Thursday night games, usually featuring teams that had just played on Sunday.

Meanwhile, several NFL players went to social media to send their thoughts and prayers to Tagovailoa.