Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa leaves Dolphins-Bills game with concussion

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was forced off the field Thursday night against Buffalo with a concussion after colliding with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head on the turf.

Tagovailoa, who has a history of head injuries, remained down for about two minutes before getting up and walking to the sideline after the third-quarter play. He soon walked to the tunnel, looked into the stands, appeared to smile and headed toward the Dolphins’ locker room.

The Dolphins quickly announced that it was a concussion.

Tagovailoa, who suffered multiple concussions in his first three NFL seasons, positioned himself for a big pay raise with an injury-free and productive 2023, throwing for 29 touchdowns and a league-record 4,624 yards.

He signed a four-year, $212 million extension before this season and was the NFL’s leading passer in Week 1 of the season. Tagovailoa left the game with the Dolphins trailing 31-10.

Tagovailoa injured a fourth-down keeper with about 4:30 left in the third. He went straight toward Hamlin and did not slide, but instead led with his right shoulder.

He landed on his back, both hands in the air, and Bills players immediately pointed at Tagovailoa as if to suggest an injury. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer quickly did the same, waving toward the sideline.

Tagovailoa eventually got to his feet. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel grabbed the side of his quarterback’s head and kissed him on the cheek as Tagovailoa left. Skylar Thompson came onto the field to take Tagovailoa’s place.

Hamlin was the player who went into cardiac arrest after making a tackle during a Monday night game in January 2023 in Cincinnati, forcing the NFL to suspend a crucial game that quickly lost its meaning after a terrifying scene played out in front of a national television audience.