Tua Tagovailoa’s head injury history after scary concussion against Bills

Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season has just begun, but the health of one of the league's starting quarterbacks is a real concern. Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game with a concussion, another incident in the young quarterback's career.

And some think his playing days may be over.

First head injury: Week 3 of the 2022 season

Concerns about Tagovailoa's head injury date back to Week 3 of the 2022 season against the Bills. Tagovailoa was under pressure in the pocket and attempted to throw to his left. He fell to the ground at Hard Rock Stadium and appeared to hit the back of his helmet on the ground. After the play, Tagovailoa was visibly shaken and stumbled to his feet before collapsing.

Tagovailoa was carried to the sideline and then to the locker room where he quickly succumbed to a head injury. i doubt it return.

However, Tagovailoa returned to the game in the second half and led the Dolphins to a 21-19 victory over Buffalo. After the game, reports began to surface that Tagovailoa had suffered a back injury rather than a head injury. He was cleared for concussion protocol by an independent neurotrauma specialist.

After the game, Tagovailoa told media that while it's true he was hit in the head, he believes he was hit in the back first.

Shortly after the game, the NFLPA launched an investigation into how Tagovailoa was treated in the game.

Second concussion: Week 4 of the 2022 season

That game will be played on Sunday, and the Dolphins will play in Week 4. Cincinnati Bengals On the way Thursday Night Football.

You probably remember what happened in that match.

Early in the second quarter of that game, Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou broke through Miami's defensive line, closing in on the quarterback and wrestling him to the turf for a sack. In the process, Tagovailoa's helmet ricocheted onto the turf at Paycol Stadium, and it was soon apparent that the quarterback was injured. Tagovailoa's hands came close to his face, and the passer remained on the turf as teammates and then medical staff rushed to his aid.

Many have speculated that Tagovailoa's frozen hands on his face were an example of the “fencing reaction,” in which the arm bends into an unnatural position after a traumatic brain injury caused by a forceful blow such as a concussion.

Tagovailoa was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for evaluation but was released and returned home with the team after being officially diagnosed with a concussion as a result of the play.

Tagovailoa returned in the seventh week of the season. Pittsburgh SteelersBy that time, the league and NFLPA had agreed to a new concussion protocol, despite the findings that the concussion protocol had not been violated in Week 3 when Tagovailoa suffered a head/back injury against the Bills. Notable from the findings: “After a full review, the parties concluded that the step-by-step process outlined in the concussion protocol was followed, but The outcome in this case was different from what was intended when the Protocol was drafted.” (emphasis in original).

Third concussion: Week 16 of the 2022 season

Tagovailoa continued playing for the Dolphins and was in the 16th round of the NBA draft. Green Bay PackersThe Miami quarterback played the full game against the Packers, which Green Bay won 26-20. He completed 16 of 25 passes for 310 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in the afternoon game.

He returned to the concussion protocol on Monday. Head coach Mike McDaniels met with the media two days later and confirmed that Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in the Week 17 game against the Packers and indicated that Teddy Bridgewater would start in Week 17 against the Packers. New England Patriots:

Tagovailoa's season is over and he was suspended for Miami's final two regular-season games and Wild Card Weekend game against the Buffalo Bills.

Tagovailoa began training in judo in the offseason to learn how to fall to avoid head injuries and returned for the 2023 season. He played in all 17 games for Miami and led the team to another playoff berth. That season ended in Kansas City with a wild-card loss to the Chiefs, but there was hope his head injury days were over.

4th concussion: Week 2 of the 2024 season

Then on Thursday night, against the Bills at Hard Rock Stadium, Tagovailoa gave the Dolphins momentum after throwing his third interception of the night. But as he scrambled for a first down, an all-too-familiar scene ensued: Tagovailoa fell to the ground, hands next to his face, as medical staff rushed to his aid.

He missed the game due to a concussion. Play the problem here.

In the hours following Buffalo's 31-10 win, many speculated that Tagovailoa's playing days might be over, as this was his third concussion in three seasons and likely his fourth if you include his first injury against the Bills in 2022. Tagovailoa had indicated he was considering retirement ahead of the 2023 season but ended up returning to play for Miami.

After the game, McDaniel spoke about his quarterback. “I was worried,” McDaniel said of his initial reaction to Tagovailoa's injury. “I was just worried about my quarterback. It's something you never want to be involved in and hope you never have to be involved in.”

Tagovailoa is scheduled to undergo further testing on Friday, but the head coach indicated he's not concerned about the timing of the injury at this time.

“What the timeline is is the furthest thing from my mind,” McDaniel said. “Like every other guy, we just have to evaluate and worry about our teammates. We'll have more information tomorrow and take it one day at a time from there.”

“I'm just concerned about the human being. Once we have the right information, he will steer the ship,” McDaniel added. “But it depends on the day-to-day health of the person.”