Tua Tagovailoa, a 24-year-old quarterback, fell on his head for the second time in five days. The Miami Dolphins star player was tackled by a  6-foot-3, 340-pound Josh Tupou during his side’s 27-15 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday. He was carted off the pitch. 

Tagovailoa, in pain, displayed a fencing response. He lifted his hands with stiffened fingers. According to the TNF broadcast crew, this motion is a neurological response to head trauma. Minutes later, the team said that the quarterback was conscious, had movement in all his extremities and was taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for further evaluation. He had sustained head and neck injuries. He was expected to be released from the hospital and fly home with the team. However, his participation in Week 5 seems unlikely. 

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The Miami Dolphins were roasted on social media after the episode. Tagovailoa had suffered a similar fall in Week 2 when his team defeated the Buffalo Bills. He appeared to be disoriented by what the team originally said was a head injury after taking a hard hit from linebacker Matt Milano. However, the 24-year-old returned after halftime. NFL and National Football League Players Association launched an investigation to determine if concussion protocols were followed. 

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Miami concluded that Tua had back and ankle injuries. The quarterback did not practice on Monday. He then had limited participation on Wednesday and was taken off the injury list just ahead of Thursday night’s game. 

After his injury against the Bengals, the Dolphins were under fire. Fans and experts said that the QB may have suffered a career-ending second concussion. 

Also Read: NFL 2022: Miami Dolphins slammed after QB Tua Tagovailoa receives injuries in consecutive games

Tua led Miami’s campaign so far. The team was on a three-match winning streak. His six touchdowns and 469 yards got the team a last-minute win against the Baltiomore Ravens in Week 2. With him gone, the team would have been left with a 29-year-old Teddy Bridgewater. 

After Tua left the field against the Bengals, Bridgewater took lead. He finished the game with 14 for 23 for 193 yards, a touchdown and an interception. 

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Chief executive of the Concussion Legacy Foundation Chris Nowinski had warned against Tagovailoa playing on Thursday. 

“If Tua takes the field tonight, it’s a massive step back for #concussion care in the NFL,” Nowinski tweeted before the game. 

“If he has a 2nd concussion that destroys his season or career, everyone involved will be sued & should lose their jobs, coaches included.”

 “I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in five days can kill someone,” Nowinski said after the injury.