We apparently have not seen the last of Tua Tagovailoa in the NFL.
Tagovailoa was at the center of yet another scary scene Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins quarterback sustained a concussion from a third-quarter collision with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, which frighteningly planted him on the turf before he left the field with medical professionals.
Many thought the incident might have spelled the end of Tagovailoa's playing career. The 26-year-old has a very concerning history of head injuries and has plenty of financial security from the four-year, $212.4 million deal he signed in late July. But according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Tagovailoa "has no plans" to retire.
In fact, Rapoport on Sunday reported Tagovailoa's eyes "are already on returning to the football field." However, his timeline for return still is unknown, as the 2020 first-round pick is working with a concussion specialist and other doctors to evaluate his status. The NFL insider reported "the goal" for Tagovailoa and Miami is to have the Alabama product back on the field "when he's ready."
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In the meantime, 2022 seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson will stand in for Tagovailoa as the Dolphins' starting quarterback. Head coach Mike McDaniel also confirmed Miami will "bring someone in" to bolster the signal-caller depth chart while Tagovailoa is sidelined.
Featured image via Sam Navarro/Imagn Images