Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa sustains 3rd career concussion

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion for the third time in his NFL career, leaving his team's game Thursday night against Buffalo after running into defensive back Damar Hamlin and hitting the back of his head against the turf.

Tagovailoa remained down for about two minutes before getting to his feet and walking to the sideline after the play in the third quarter. He made his way to the tunnel not long afterward, looking into the stands before smiling and departing toward the locker room.

The Dolphins needed almost no time before announcing it was a concussion. The team said he had two during the 2022 season, and Tagovailoa was diagnosed with another concussion when he was a college player at Alabama.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa would get "proper procedural evaluation" and "appropriate care" on Friday.

"The furthest thing from my mind is, `What is the timeline?' We just need to evaluate and just worry about my teammate, like the rest of the guys are," McDaniel said. "We'll get more information [Friday] and take it day by day from here."

Some players saw Tagovailoa in the locker room after the game and said they were encouraged. Tagovailoa spoke with some players and then went home after the game, McDaniel said.

"I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him," said quarterback Skylar Thompson, who replaced Tagovailoa after the injury. "You care about the person more than the player and everybody in the organization would say the same thing. Just really praying for Tua and hopefully everything will come out all right."

Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212 million US extension before this season — a deal that makes him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL