Joe Burrow threw a late two-yard touchdown pass to Hayden Hurst to secure a 27-15 victory for the Cincinnati Bengals against Miami in a Thursday match overshadowed by the distressing sight of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being carried off on a stretcher.
Tagovailoa was tackled and brought down to the ground by Cincinnati’s Josh Tupou in the first half, leading to a lengthy pause as medical attention was provided. He was then taken to a hospital due to reported head and neck injuries. The Dolphins later stated they anticipated his discharge and return home with the team.
The 24-year-old Tagovailoa had been dealing with a sore back and was questionable for most of the week before the game. He briefly exited Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills after seeming disoriented following a hard hit late in the first half. Despite missing just three plays and returning after halftime, the decision prompted a review by the NFL and NFL Players Association.
After the game, both Tagovailoa and the team disclosed that the quarterback’s awkward fall in the second quarter was due to a back injury, not a concussion. The team clarified on Monday that Tagovailoa was not undergoing concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa mentioned that he “hyper-extended” his back on Sunday during a quarterback sneak when his legs got tangled under another player. Some criticized the decision to field Tagovailoa so soon after his previous injuries.
Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted: “That’s a serious injury. Tua shouldn’t have been out there with Sunday Thursday turn around. Sometimes players need protecting from themselves. Dolphins failed Tua.”
After Thursday’s game, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel defended the decision, stating that Tagovailoa had passed several checks by independent specialists before playing. He emphasized that he would never knowingly endanger a player.
Vonn Bell’s interception of Miami backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, his second of the night, with three minutes remaining, set up the Bengals’ final drive. Evan McPherson contributed two fourth-quarter field goals, including a 57-yarder.
Burrow completed 20 of 31 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns as the Bengals secured their second victory in five days after an initial loss. Tee Higgins caught seven passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Tagovailoa completed 8 of 14 passes for 110 yards and an interception before his injury, while Bridgewater finished 14 of 23 for 193 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in relief.
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