'Some of the scariest stuff': $315m QB told to 'retire' after latest horror ...

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has left the field in distressing scenes after another brutal head knock during the Dolphins clash against the Buffalo Bills.

Tagovailoa , who signed a four-year $315m (AUD) extension in July, was hunting a first down as he rushed through the Bills’ defensive line before a nasty collision with Bills defender Damar Hamlin.

Tagovailoa was felled as his arms tensed up in the same way they did during an incident in 2022.

The Dolphins star has a history of concussion during his short football career so far, having suffered two during 2022.

Tagovailoa dropped his head as he rushed towards the oncoming Hamlin, as Hamlin’s arm made contact with Tagovailoa’s head with brute force.

The Dolphins’ medical team and coach Mike McDaniels rushed out onto the field to check on the welfare of their star quarter-back.

He was ultimately able to walk off the field of his own power and enter the rooms.

McDaniels said the incident was “not something you ever want to be a part of” during his post-game press conference.

“My thought was concern. I was just worried about my guy. It’s not something that you ever want to be a part of, you hope not to,” he said.

“I talked to him in the locker room, I obviously talked to him on the field and then in the locker room before he was headed home, he was in good spirits.”

The Dolphins coach refused to speculate on Tagovailoa’s future and said he was only focussed on supporting his star player.

“Right now, it’s more about getting a proper procedural evaluation tomorrow and taking it one day at a time. The furthest thing from my mind is what is the timeline, we just need to evaluate, I’m just worried about my teammate like the rest of the guys are. We’ll get more information tomorrow and take it day by day from there,” he said.

“It’s important to approach each and every situation, much like you approach every injury which is basically, ‘alright we’re going to handle this particular situation with this particular player’. Every situation is unique to its own.

“I’m not worried about anything that’s out of my hands – I’m just worried about the human being. He’ll drive the ship when we get the appropriate information but it’s day by day health. We try to approach all the stuff that way, particularly with concussions.”

McDaniels said more information will be known in the coming days.

“From a medical standpoint, I don’t approach things that I’m of far inferior expertise. I’m just there to support my teammate. For me to go ahead and forecast things that I don’t know in my non-field of expertise, I don’t think that’s appropriate.

“We’ll find out some more information tomorrow as to where Tua’s at. He’ll be able to spend a good amount of time being evaluated, we’ll have conversations and progress as appropriate.

Miami’s back-up quarter-back Skylar Thompson was called into the game and Tagovailoa did not return.

Ryan Clark tweeted: “Watching Tua Tagovailoa bury his helmet into Damar Hamlin’s chest was some of the scariest stuff I’ve seen in a long time, and it wasn’t even that big a collision. I’m getting old man. Soft as heck.”

Others called for Tagovailoa to retire from the game given it is his third concussion since 2022.

Dez Bryant posted on X: “That’s it…. NFL go ahead and do the right thing. Tua has had entirely way too many concussions. He need to retire for his longevity health concerns.”

Neuroscientist Chris Nowinski pointed out the concerning physical signs suffered by Tagovailoa after the hit, posting: “Prayers for Tua Tagovailoa. Note his right hand balling into a fist and his arm going straight in the air. That’s posturing and a sign of loss of consciousness and a #concussion. Certainly out for the game. So sad.”

“Tua suffered a traumatic brain injury on this play, no question. His right arm shows the “fencing posture” indicating loss of consciousness & is on the severe end on the #concussion spectrum. He is done for the night and must miss the next game.”

Some pundits questioned whether Tagovailoa had the appropriate rushing technique and if he adequately protected himself.

Sharp Football reporter Warren Sharp said: “Tua committed to this run to pick up the first down and got carried away and didn’t know how to protect himself. Literally just ran right into Damar Hamlin who didn’t look like he was set to deliver a hard hit. Tua hit Damar more than Damar hit Tua.”

It took the Dolphins just six minutes to rule him out of the match.

Tagovailoa was the subject of widespread criticism back in 2022 after he fell backwards and hit his head on the turf. The star quarter-back stumbled before being cleared to return to play.

The NFL and NFLPA opened a joint investigation into how that incident was handled which ultimately resulted in the firing of the neurological consultant who cleared Tagovailoa.

The NFL has since altered its concussion policy, allowing a spotter to have players removed from the game if they show concussion symptoms.

Tagovailoa reportedly considered retirement in the aftermath of that incident and the one just four days later against Cincinatti.

The Dolphins take on the Seattle Seahawks in ten days’ time during week three.

More to come.