Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa momentarily left the workforce’s 21-19 win over the Buffalo Bills late within the first half on Sunday earlier than returning for the second half, and now the NFL Players Association is reportedly investigating if his concussion verify was correctly dealt with.
The NFLPA initiated the investigation shortly after the Dolphins’ thriller towards the Bills at Hard Rock Stadium went closing, according to NFL Network.
The Dolphins declined to remark, however Tagovailoa and coach Mike McDaniel, after the sport, stated it was truly a again damage that triggered the third-year signal-caller to overlook the top of the primary half. The workforce initially referred to as it a head damage.
Tagovailoa was pushed by Bills linebacker Matt Milano after a go he accomplished on the ultimate play earlier than the primary half’s two-minute warning. Milano was flagged for roughing the passer. The again of Tagovailoa’s head banged towards the bottom in a whiplash impact. Appearing woozy after getting up, Tagovailoa was walked off the sphere and into the locker room, underneath his personal energy, with trainers alongside him.
“I’m feeling good,” Tagovaila stated. “Feels a lot better after a win.”
Tagovailoa stated he obtained his legs caught underneath somebody on an earlier quarterback sneak and, amid the pushing, he felt his again was hyperextended. He stated he stumbled after the Milano hit as a result of his again locked up on him as he was getting up.
Said McDaniel: “When he hit his head on the ground, I assumed it was a head injury, but his legs got wobbly because his lower back was completely loose and, as he described it, he said his lower back was like Gumby or something.”
Tagovailoa added he did must go concussion protocol earlier than he got here out to the sphere for the second half. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater entered for Miami’s beginning signal-caller to complete off the ultimate collection of the primary half.
Tagovailoa’s greatest throw in his return was a 45-yard connection to Jaylen Waddle deep over the center on third-and-22 that led to the go-ahead Chase Edmonds landing run.
“They ran quarters coverage, and they played really deep, so I tried to hold the field safety to Tyreek’s side,” stated Tagovailoa, who completed 13 of 18 for 186 yards and a landing go to River Cracraft, “after which I got here again to Waddle, trusting that Waddle would beat his guys, which he did.
“It was uncomfortable going in. I guess you could say it was the adrenaline that was keeping me going with the throwing.”
Added McDaniel: “That’s a big play that I think Tua will always remember, that a lot of his teammates will because he was battling through, and that’s really hard.”
It’s the third consecutive time Tagovailoa has gotten damage in a sport towards the Bills. In final 12 months’s Week 2 assembly in Miami Gardens, an A.J. Epenesa hit sidelined Tagovailoa with fractured ribs and put him on short-term injured reserve to overlook the following three weeks. In the 2021 Oct. 31 sport in Orchard Park, Tagovailoa completed the sport however got here away with a finger damage on his throwing hand that value him the following one and a half video games.
Tagovailoa’s availability will probably be a sizzling subject all through the quick week earlier than a Thursday evening sport on the Cincinnati Bengals.
Armstead, Howard play
The Dolphins had left deal with Terron Armstead and cornerback Xavien Howard, who’ve six Pro Bowls between them, begin in Sunday’s sport after each entered questionable.
Meanwhile, the already-ailing Bills added security Jordan Poyer to their inactives. Buffalo’s whole beginning secondary of Poyer, fellow Pro Bowl security Micah Hyde and cornerbacks Tre’Davious White (reserve/PUP) and Dane Jackson have been out towards the Dolphins.
The Bills had rookie cornerbacks Christian Benford and Kaiir Elam and backup safeties Jaquan Johnson and Damar Hamlin begin.
Armstead performed and made it by means of Sunday, holding up towards All-Pro Bills edge rusher Von Miller regardless of lacking the week of observe nursing a toe damage.
Howard, who was restricted with a groin damage at Thursday and Friday practices after lacking Wednesday’s session, largely drew the project of limiting Buffalo star receiver Stefon Diggs. Howard had six tackles and two go deflections. Diggs completed with seven receptions for 74 yards.
Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ribs) was accessible for Miami after stepping into questionable, however he didn’t document a catch. The different Dolphin that entered questionable, defensive deal with Raekwon Davis (knee), was out Sunday. Miami began with a three-man defensive entrance that included Christian Wilkins, Zach Sieler and Emmanuel Ogbah. Cornerback Kader Kohou additionally obtained a begin together with Nik Needham within the nickel formation.
Miami already had tight ends Hunter Long (ankle) and Cethan Carter (concussion protocol) listed as out getting into Sunday.
Other Dolphins inactives have been operating again Myles Gaskin, quarterback Skylar Thompson and vast receiver Erik Ezukanma. The rookie signal-caller and wideout are wholesome scratches for the third time in three weeks.
The Bils additionally had defensive tackles Ed Oliver and Jordan Phillips and heart Mitch Morse amongst inactives. Wide receiver Gabe Davis and tight finish Dawson Knox, who entered questionable, performed.
Little injured; gamers take care of warmth
Greg Little, who has been taking part in proper deal with for the injured Austin Jackson, twice made exits with a finger damage however returned each occasions.
Little first got here off the sphere late within the first half, and Larnel Coleman entered for him at proper deal with. Little tried to return early within the second half, however shortly exited once more. That time, proper guard Robert Hunt slid out to proper deal with, with Robert Jones inserted at guard till Little went again in once more.
Various gamers have been affected by the South Florida warmth and humidity, particularly within the second half, because the official game-day climate was 89 levels with 63 p.c humidity.
Howard was seen operating into the locker room within the third quarter, coping with cramps. Diggs, Bills tight finish Dawson Knox and vast receiver Isaiah McKenzie have been additionally coping with warmth points within the second half.
Buffalo proper deal with Spencer Brown was out because of warmth sickness because the Bills have been already coping with Morse, their beginning heart, out. His backup, Greg Van Roten, exited at one level, and proper guard Ryan Bates left to be evaluated for a head damage within the third quarter.
Dolphins linebacker Elandon Roberts suffered a quadriceps damage. Bills vast receiver Jake Kumerow exited Sunday’s sport with an ankle damage.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com