| September 29, 2022 at 9:40 p.m
September 29, 2022 at 9:40 p.m
Editor’s note: We recorded the video as a publicly available record of what happened. Although efforts have been made to minimize the presence of graphic footage, the remaining sequences may be unsettling for some viewers. Please exercise discretion before viewing.
CINCINNATI (AP) — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered neck and head injuries after being released in Thursday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals and was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
The dolphins said Tagovailoa was conscious and had movements in all his extremities after being carried from the field on a stretcher. He was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
Tagovailoa was chased and fired by Josh Tupou with about six minutes to go in the first half. He was thrown around and thrown onto the lawn. As he lay on the ground, his hands froze in front of his face. He remained lying for more than seven minutes before being loaded onto a backboard, stabilized and strapped to a stretcher after his face mask was removed.
Dolphins players gathered as Tagovailoa was rolled off the field and the crowd shouted “Tua! Tua!” Tua!.”
Tagovailoa, 24, the team said was suffering from back pain and was ruled questionable for most of the week leading up to the game.
Tagovailoa briefly left Sunday’s 21-19 win over the Buffalo Bills after appearing disoriented after the team originally said a head injury occurred after suffering a hard punch from Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano late in the first half. He missed just three snaps and returned after halftime, a decision that prompted a joint review by the NFL and the National Football League Players Association, which factored into the decision to allow him to return to the game.
The team and Tagovailoa said after the game that the quarterback suffered a back injury that led to his awkward trip and fall after being thrown onto the turf in the second quarter. The team said Monday that Tagovailoa was not on the concussion record.
Miami originally said it was a head injury, but Tagovailoa said after the game that he hit his back in the fall.
Before leaving Thursday’s game, Tagovailoa was 8 for 14 for 100 yards and one interception. He was replaced in the game by Teddy Bridgewater, who threw a touchdown pass to Chase Edmonds with 15 seconds remaining.