What happens if Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa retires after concussion?
Dolphins' Austin Jackson 'Crushed' for Tua Tagovailoa After Concussion vs. Bills
Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson expressed deep concern for his teammate, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, after Tagovailoa suffered the third confirmed concussion of his career during Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. Reflecting on the incident, Jackson said, “Crushed. I hate to see him like that,” according to ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. “With his history, it’s even harder to see. I wish I could go back and change things. I could have done better.”
The injury occurred when Tagovailoa, scrambling out of the pocket, collided headfirst with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa immediately went into a fencing position, a clear sign of a serious concussion. From his vantage point on the field, Jackson could tell something was wrong, noting that his teammate “wasn’t there all the way.” Despite the severity of the hit, Tagovailoa eventually walked off the field and to the locker room under his own power after being evaluated by trainers.
Tagovailoa’s history with concussions has been a significant concern. Although he didn’t miss a game last season, he suffered multiple concussions during the 2022 campaign. One against the Cincinnati Bengals led to his hospitalization, and another against the Green Bay Packers ended his season. The Packers concussion was particularly controversial because Tagovailoa continued playing, as the extent of his injury wasn’t known until after the game.
His earlier injury against the Bills in 2022 was pivotal, as it prompted the NFL to revise its concussion policy. In that instance, Tagovailoa remained in the game but suffered a much more severe concussion just four days later against the Bengals.
With the Dolphins‘ next game on September 22 against the Seattle Seahawks, it is uncertain whether Tagovailoa will be medically cleared to play. If not, backup quarterback Skylar Thompson is expected to start in his place.
