Tua Tagovailoa, the quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, was stretchered off the field on Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering neck and head injuries.
According to the Dolphins, Tagovailoa was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further testing while aware and moving all of his limbs.
With about six minutes remained in the first half, 6-foot-3, 340-pound Josh Tupou chased down Tagovailoa and sacked him. He was hurled to the ground after being twirled around. His hands froze in front of his face as he lay on the ground. After being down for more than seven minutes, his facemask was taken off and he was carried onto a backboard, stabilized, and secured to a stretcher.
As Tagovailoa was carried off the field, Dolphins teammates gathered nearby as the fans screamed “Tua! Tua!”
Reaction spread quickly around the NFL. QBs Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Russell Wilson of the Broncos swiftly expressed their worry for Tagovailoa’s welfare.
Tua, I’m praying for you,” wrote Wilson.
For the most of the week leading up to the game, the 24-year-old Tagovailoa was labeled as doubtful due to a strained back.
After taking a strong hit from Bills linebacker Matt Milano late in the first half, Tagovailoa temporarily exited Sunday’s 21-19 win against the Buffalo Bills, seeming to be confused and suffering from what the club first reported as a head injury. He only missed three plays and came back into the game after halftime, a move that sparked a joint investigation by the NFL and National Football League Players Association into the circumstances surrounding his reinstatement.
The quarterback’s awkward slip and fall after being pushed into the grass in the second quarter were caused by a back injury, according to the club and Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa was not included in the concussion protocol, the organization said on Monday.
He said that after having his legs snagged beneath someone while attempting a quarterback sneak, he “hyper-extended” his back.
Tagovailoa was 8 for 14 for 100 yards and an interception before departing the game on Thursday. Teddy Bridgewater came in to play in his place, and with 15 seconds remaining in the half, he hit Chase Edmonds for a touchdown.
For the 3-0 Dolphins, Tagovailoa’s performance, who won a national title at Alabama, has been crucial. With 925 throwing yards heading into the game, he was ranked second in the NFL.