Second incident in a week: concern for NFL quarterback after head injury

The Miami Dolphins were undefeated before the duel with Super Bowl participants Cincinnati Bengals.

Second incident in a week: concern for NFL quarterback after head injury

The Miami Dolphins were undefeated before the duel with Super Bowl participants Cincinnati Bengals. The fact that there was the first bankruptcy of the season at the end was only a minor matter even before halftime. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is worried.

Miami Dolphins NFL quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been rushed to the hospital with head and neck injuries after a tough tackle. His team from the US professional football league NFL announced that the 24-year-old was conscious and could move all his extremities. In addition, Tagovailoa was able to travel back to Florida with his team.

The playmaker hit the ground on Thursday (local time) at 3:27 p.m. against Super Bowl participants Cincinnati Bengals after a tackle and had to be treated for around ten minutes. He was then taken off the field on a stretcher.

In a first reaction, the Dolphins said during the game in Cincinnati: "Tua Tagovailoa was taken to a local hospital for further examinations. He is conscious and can move all his extremities."

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel spoke of a "moment of shock". "All his teammates and I were very worried. It was clear to me from the start that he had a concussion. He asked about me and when I saw him I could just say he wasn't the same guy I used to be used to see," he said.

It was only on Sunday that Tagovailoa left the field dazed after a duel in the win against the Buffalo Bills. The quarterback was evaluated for a concussion but returned to the game. The Dolphins coaching staff said he suffered a lower back injury. When he returned to the pitch, he seemed very unsteady on his feet, even buckled after the first few steps and had to be supported by his teammates.

Dealing with head injuries in the NFL has been a particular focus for several years. The decision that Tagovailoa was back on the field soon after Sunday's incident drew criticism.