Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion during Thursday night’s game, the team confirmed Friday, leaving him prone on the field for more than seven minutes before he was carted off the field on a stretcher.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said that Tagovailoa had a headache Thursday night and Friday morning. He will undergo an MRI as an "extra precaution," McDaniel said, in addition to the X-rays and CT scan performed Thursday.
While there is no timetable for Tagovailoa to return to the field, the third-year quarterback released a message on Twitter Friday saying that he was feeling "much better."
"I want to thank everyone for all of their prayers and support since the game last night," Tagovailoa’s statement said. "It was difficult to not be able to finish the game and be there with my teammates, but I am grateful for the support and care I’ve received from the Dolphins, my friends, and all the people who have reached out.
"I’m feeling much better and focused on recovering so I can get back out on the field with my teammates."
Tagovailoa’s injury occurred in the second quarter of Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals, when he was sacked by Josh Tupou.
After being strapped to a stretcher, Tagovailoa was taken off the field and driven to the hospital for evaluation. He was released late Thursday night and flew back to Miami with his teammates.
Tagovailoa’s injury was a startling one for players and spectators alike, made more concerning by his injury last Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Tagovailoa took a hit from Bills linebacker Matt Milano in that game and appeared to hit his head on the ground. He stumbled when he got up and was immediately taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.
He returned to the game shortly thereafter and was not in the concussion protocol the following week, despite questions about why he was allowed to return to the game after displaying motor impairment.
McDaniel reiterated Friday that Tagovailoa was cleared by several doctors and trainers during that game and said he did not have a head injury.
The NFL Players Association was already investigating how Tagovailoa’s injury was handled last Sunday and released a statement Thursday night after he took what appeared to be jarring contact to his head for the second time in five days.
"Player health and safety is at the core of the union’s mission," the NFLPA tweeted Thursday night. "Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery. Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing."
Chicago Bears end their losing run against Minnesota Vikings
Cairo Santos landed his fourth field goal of the night in the closing moments as the Chicago Bears edged past the Minnesota Vikings for a final score of 12-10.
Santos landed the decisive kick from 30 yards with 10 seconds remaining to decide the defence-dominated NFC North clash.
Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs was intercepted four times as they lost to the Bears for the first time in seven meetings.
Despite his problems, Dobbs found TJ Hockenson to put the Vikings ahead for the first time with less than six minutes remaining.
Fields fumbled for the second time in the quarter on the following drive, but moved the Bears into position for Santos’s winning kick.
The defeat dents the Vikings’ hopes of claiming the divisional title, dropping them to 6-6, behind the 8-3 Detroit Lions.
Carolina Panthers sack head coach Frank Reich after one win in 11 games
Carolina Panthers have sacked head coach Frank Reich after starting the new season with just one win in 11 games.
Reich was appointed in January but made little impact and Saturday’s 17-10 defeat to Tennessee Titans extended the worst current record in the NFL.
The Panthers confirmed that special teams co-ordinator Chris Tabor will take over as interim head coach, with senior assistant Jim Caldwell becoming special adviser to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, who assumes play-calling duties.
Panthers owner David Tepper said in a statement: “I met with Coach Reich this morning and informed him that he will not continue as head coach of the Carolina Panthers. I want to thank Frank for his dedication and service, and we wish him well.”
Travis Kelce makes NFL history in Chiefs comeback win
Travis Kelce made NFL history as the Kansas City Chiefs recorded an entertaining victory in Week 12.
The Chiefs fought back from 14-0 behind to win 31-17 at the Las Vegas Raiders, improving their 2023 record to 8-3.
Kelce hauled in six catches for 91 yards to help launch the comeback, with Rashee Rice adding eight receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown.
Sunday's game saw Kelce become the fastest tight end to reach 11,000 receiving yards in NFL history, achieving the feat in 154 games.
The 34-year-old only needed 15 yards to reach the landmark and comfortably passed that in Las Vegas, taking his career total up to 11,076.
Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez held the previous fastest mark after hitting 11,000 after 191 games.
Kelce is only the fourth tight end ever to reach the total. He still has a while to go to catch Gonzalez (15,127) in yardage, but is moving ever closer to Jason Witten (13.036) and Antonio Gates (11,841) in the TE standings.
"We went down 14 points, and it's a tough thing to come back from that," said Chiefs coach Andy Reid.
"Our guys battled back, and I'm proud of them for that."
A prime-time matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field is up next for the Chiefs, who are top of the AFC West as they look to repeat as Super Bowl champions. The Denver Broncos (6-5) are their closest challengers in the division.
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