(Video) Tua Tagovailoa takes brutal hit from Damar Hamlin during TNF, ruled out because of concussion
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffers a concussion after colliding with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
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Collision with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin leads to concussion for Tua Tagovailoa (Image via Imago/screengrab)
Entering their week 2 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the Miami Dolphins knew they had to play better than how they did in Week 1. That last drive scrape will not work against a Bills team who are looking to assert their identity. They needed their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, to step up for this to happen. But tonight’s matchup was anything but.
For much of the game, the Buffalo Bills took away one of the prime reasons the Dolphins offense flourished last season. That pushed Tagovailoa into three interceptions. But that was not the worst part of the night.
In his quest to lead his team back into the game, the 5th year player ran for a first down and was stopped by Damar Hamlin. But that stop came at a cost as the quarterback lay on the field after suffering a concussion.
Replays show Tua Tagovailoa‘s head moving awkwardly after colliding with Damar Hamlin’s torso. Then when he was on the ground and not moving, his finger movements in his right hand brought flashbacks to his most recent concussion.
With that sort of reaction, he will most likely be placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol. That alone will rule him out of at least the next game against the Seattle Seahawks. He was replaced with former 7th round pick Skylar Thompson, who also happens to be the only QB remaining on their roster.
Buffalo Bills stifled Tua Tagovailoa and Dolphins offense
After last season’s fizzled out end, fans of the Miami Dolphins expected their team to take a step forward this season. Their first game did not show any repeats of their high-flying offense. But against the Bills, they should have had a much better game. Instead, Buffalo’s defense put the pressure on Tua throughout the game.
He did play well initially, completing a lot of short and medium throws. But then the Bills retooled defense turned the knob up. By playing two safeties, they took the top off, allowing nine players to man the middle. This forced Tagovailoa into some throws that resulted in three interceptions. If anything, their defense thumped the high-flying Dolphins offense.
To the extent that after Tua Tagovailoa left the game, head coach Mike McDaniel pulled much of their starters. The QB and his coaches need to figure out what they need to get back to playing good football. Else fans and analysts will start questioning that $212 million contract they just gave him.
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Joseph Varghese
(2313 Articles Published)