Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in the third quarter of the team’s “Thursday Night Football” game against the Buffalo Bills.

While searching for a first down in the red zone with 4:24 left in the quarter, Tagovailoa collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin and then collapsed to the ground. His upper body appeared to stiffen as he moved his arms first to his sides and then to his helmet. The 26-year-old was immediately attended to by teammates, who motioned for the team’s medical staff to quickly come out.

Six minutes later, the Dolphins confirmed he had suffered a concussion and was out of the game.

Kaylee Hartung: Tua Tagovailoa will not be back in this game. He is out with a concussion. They were able to determine that just 6 minutes after he left the field.

Al Michaels: A little bit of irony there, he got hit by Damar Hamlin. You know the story. photo.twitter.com/SW6gr6ln0O

— Terrible announcement (@awfulannouncing) September 13, 2024

From here, Tagovailoa enters the league’s concussion protocol, where he must complete a five-phase return to play program. The first phase involves prescribed rest and limited activities. The fifth phase, which is full clearance to return to football activities, comes only after a player has been cleared by a team physician and evaluated by the independent neurological consultant assigned to his franchise.

Thursday’s injury comes two seasons after Tagovailoa missed significant time in 2022 with multiple head injuries. The first of those appeared to occur in Week 3 against the Bills, with Tagovailoa cleared to return later in the game. Days later, he was cleared to play against the Cincinnati Bengals and was carted off the field after showing a screen reaction following a sack.

According to the National Institute of Health, a fencing reaction is an immediate posturing of the limbs that can occur in individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Tagovailoa’s 2022 concussion protocol violation led to the NFL players’ union firing its independent neurotrauma consultant and the league later revising its policy. Later in the 2022 season, Tagovailoa re-entered the concussion protocol after experiencing concussion symptoms in a game against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas. Prior to Week 17, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Tagovailoa had suffered another concussion and was ruled out.

Entering the 2023 season, Tagovailoa told reporters he considered retiring because of the concussions. But after spending the offseason reworking his body and training with specialists to learn how to fall properly, he returned for what would be his best professional season. Tagovailoa led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards and threw a career-high 29 touchdowns.

In response to Thursday’s concussion, many former players took to social media to call for Tagovailoa’s retirement.

That’s it….

NFL, go ahead and do the right thing

Tua has had way too many concussions

He has to retire due to his health problems that extend his lifespan

— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) September 13, 2024

I really hope Tua is ok but he needs to seriously think about turning it off. I H8 saying this. His concussions are getting worse and he is a young man with his whole life ahead of him. #BillsFin #ThursdayNightFootball.

—shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) September 13, 2024

On Thursday, Tagovailoa was ruled out with a confirmed concussion just minutes after being helped off the field. He was replaced at quarterback by Skylar Thompson. Before he left, Tagovailoa had thrown for 145 yards on 17 of 25 passing with one touchdown and three interceptions.

(Photo: Megan Briggs/Getty Images)