The Miami Dolphins are reportedly putting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve after the quarterback suffered the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career on Thursday. NFL Media first reported the move.
Tagovailoa was hurt in the third quarter of a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills on a play where he collided with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. He ran for a first down and then initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding.
Players from both teams immediately motioned that Tagovailoa was hurt, and as he lay on the turf the quarterback exhibited some signs typically associated with a traumatic brain injury. He remained down on the field for a couple of minutes, got to his feet and walked to the sideline.
Tagovailoa this week began the process of consulting neurologists about his health. He was diagnosed with two concussions in 2022 and one while in college at Alabama.
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Tagovailoa’s trip to injured reserve comes amid a whirlwind of speculation around his NFL future and concern about the long-term impact of the repeated concussions he has suffered. Tagovailoa will remain out until the Dolphins’ Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals at the earliest.
The Dolphins reportedly decided to put Tagovailoa on injured reserve in order to “give him ample time to progress through the stages of concussion protocol and meet with outside neurologists,” per NFL Media.
Tagovailoa, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in the offseason, securing his status as the Dolphins’ long-term franchise quarterback.
Backup Skylar Thompson is slated to start over the next five weeks in Tagovailoa’s absence, while the Dolphins signed Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens‘ practice squad on Monday to bolster their quarterback depth behind Thompson. Tagovailoa reportedly has “no plans to retire” after his latest head injury.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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