In one play, everyone was reminded of the story surrounding Tua Tagovailoa during the 2023 offseason.

Tagovailoa suffered multiple concussions during the 2022 season, including a terrifying one during a Thursday night game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He said he considered retiring after the season but ultimately decided to continue his football career. Tagovailoa’s long-term health was a topic of discussion leading into last season.

On Thursday evening he experienced another terrifying moment.

Tagovailoa ran for a first down on fourth-and-4, and with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, he didn’t slide at the 4:36 mark of the third quarter. Tagovailoa ducked his head and collided with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa remained on the ground after the hard hit. He tried to get up but couldn’t. He avoided such hits last season, but Thursday’s hit took him out of the game.

Tagovailoa eventually got up, limped off the court and was taken to the locker room. Skylar Thompson replaced him. The Bills would cruise to a 31-10 victory.

The Dolphins ruled Tagovailoa out shortly afterward, reporting that he had a concussion. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said a timeline for Tagovailoa’s return was the “furthest thing from my mind.” He was asked about his reaction when Tagovailoa suffered another concussion.

“I thought I was worried,” McDaniel said. “I was just worried about my guy. That’s not something you ever want to be a part of.”

In July, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract. Concerns about Tagovailoa and his health were not forgotten, but they had faded into the background after he played in every game last season, throwing for career highs in yardage (4,624) and touchdowns (29). After Thursday night, all the concerns about Tagovailoa and his health will flare up again.

Dolphins trailed deeply before Tua Tagovailoa was knocked out of the game

The Bills have dominated the Dolphins since drafting Josh Allen, and that didn’t change Thursday night. Buffalo got three touchdowns from James Cook, a defensive TD and cruised in the second half. They’re 2-0 to start the season.

Tagovailoa threw three interceptions, including a pick-6 that nearly ended the game at 9:37 in the third quarter. The turnover occurred when Tagovailoa, under pressure, blindly threw toward the sideline on third down. It was an easy interception and touchdown return by cornerback Ja’Marcus Ingram. That made the score 31-10.

The night went a lot worse for the Dolphins due to Tagovailoa’s head injury.

Thompson, who completed 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards, expressed concern about his teammate.

“I’ll tell you what, it makes me sick,” Thompson told reporters after the game. “It sucks.

“I have a lot of love for Tua, built a great relationship with him. Care more about the person than the player, and everyone in the organization would say the same thing.”

Allen also had kind words and sympathy for his fellow quarterback.

“You can’t help but feel for him,” Allen said on Amazon Prime Video’s postgame show. “He’s a great football player, but he’s an even better person. He’s one of the best people on the planet. I have a lot of love for him and I’m just praying for him and his family.”

Damar Hamlin out of love, while others question whether Tua should call it a career

Hamlin, who himself experienced a traumatic event on an NFL field, sent congratulatory messages to the man he tackled on X.

Before that, a few former NFL stars wondered if Tagovailoa should retire. On the streaming broadcast, Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez said, “Tua’s future? I’m thinking retirement here.”

Former Seahawks star Richard Sherman later said on the postgame show, “You always want to move on, but if I were him, I’d be right behind you, Tony. I think you should go home.”

Former Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant also pointed this out on social media.

Tagovailoa said he considered retirement after suffering multiple concussions during the 2022 season. The concern for him after Thursday night is not only when he might be able to return from this concussion, but also for his long-term health.