Joe Burrow threw a two-yard touchdown throw to Hayden Hurst to cap the Cincinnati Bengals’ 27-15 victory against the Miami Dolphins in a game on Thursday marked by the horrifying image of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being carried off on a stretcher.
Josh Tupou of Cincinnati chased down Tagovailoa and threw him to the ground in the first half. More than seven minutes passed before he was sent to a hospital with head and neck injuries. The Dolphins then stated that they anticipated he would be released and go home with the team.
The 24-year-old Tagovailoa was questionable for the majority of the week leading up to the game due to a sore back.
After absorbing a strong hit from Bills linebacker Matt Milano late in the first half, he appeared dazed and was taken out of Sunday’s 21-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills. The team initially stated he had suffered a head injury.
He missed only three snaps and returned after halftime, a decision that sparked a joint investigation by the NFL and National Football League Players Association into the factors that led to his return.
The club and quarterback Tagovailoa stated after the game that the quarterback’s awkward misstep and fall in the second quarter were caused by a back injury. On Monday, the team reported that Tagovailoa was not in concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa stated that he “hyperextended” his back on Sunday after his legs were entangled with another player during a quarterback sneak. Some criticized the choice to play Tagovailoa in Sunday’s game so soon after his injuries.
Shannon Sharpe, a Hall of Famer, tweeted: “That’s a terrible injury. Tua should not have been on the field between Sunday and Thursday. Occasionally, gamers require protection from themselves. The dolphins failed to impress Tua.”
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel defended the decision to play Tagovailoa against the Bengals after Thursday’s game, stating that the quarterback had passed a series of checks by independent specialists before playing.
McDaniel stated, “I don’t believe an injury from last week caused him to perform poorly this week.” “I have no tolerance for, nor would I ever put a player in danger. That has nothing to do with what I do.”
With three minutes remaining in the game, Vonn Bell’s interception of Miami backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – the safety’s second of the night – set up the Bengals’ final drive. Evan McPherson also kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter, one a 57-yarder.
Burrow completed 20 of 31 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns as the Bengals won their second game in five days following a season-opening loss. Tee Higgins had seven receptions for 124 yards and a touchdown.
Before his injury, Tagovailoa was 8 for 14 for 110 yards and an interception. In relief, Bridgewater completed 14 of 23 passes for 193 yards with a score and an interception.
