Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins quarterback, was carried off due to a head injury.

Tagovailoa was aware, had movement in all of his extremities, and was brought to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for additional assessment, according to the Dolphins. Tagovailoa was anticipated to be discharged from the hospital and return home with the Dolphins following their 27-15 defeat to the Bengals.

With approximately six minutes left in the first half, Tagovailoa was pursued and sacked by 6-foot-3, 340-pound Josh Tupou. He was hurled to the ground after being twirled around. His hands froze in front of his face when he was on the ground. After his facemask was removed, he was carried onto a backboard, stabilized, and attached to a stretcher for more than seven minutes.

As Tagovailoa was wheeled off the field, Dolphins teammates crowded around him, and the fans screamed "Tua! Tua!"

When Tagovailoa fell down, Miami coach Mike McDaniel stated he called for him.

"I could tell it wasn't the same man I'd seen before," McDaniel said. "It was a terrifying experience." He was checked for a concussion. He's still in the concussion protocol, but he's being released.

"This is an emotional time." It's not included in the offer you signed up for. His teammates and I were concerned, but he was checked out and it turned out to be nothing more serious than a concussion."

Teddy Bridgewater, who took over for the injured Tagovailoa, claimed the Miami sideline became silent when the starting quarterback was on the ground.

"There was complete quiet," Bridgewater claimed. "He's like one of us. It's just a football game at the end of the day. You saw how we felt about Tua at that point. He's our ship's captain. He's our boss. It was encouraging to see how the medics handled the matter."

"It's a tough time," Bengals coach Zac Taylor said in response to Tagovailoa's injury. You despise seeing that happen. It's a difficult time for everyone."

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow believed Tagovailoa will return soon.

"It's always frightening when people walk out like that," Burrow remarked. "It's a risky game, and anything like that might happen at any time, but when it happens, it's always terrifying." Hopefully, he recovers quickly. I'll text him in a minute to check how he's doing."

The NFL community reacted quickly. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson both expressed concern about Tagovailoa's health.

Wilson commented, "Praying for you Tua."

Tagovailoa, 24, had a bad back and was labeled as doubtful for most of the week leading up to the game.

Tagovailoa momentarily exited Sunday's 21-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills after seeming dazed after what the club initially described as a head injury sustained late in the first half from Bills defender Matt Milano. He only missed three snaps and returned after halftime, prompting a joint examination of what went into the decision to allow him to return to the game by the NFL and the National Football League Players Association.

After the game, the team and Tagovailoa both stated that the quarterback suffered a back injury that caused his awkward slip and fall after being smashed into the turf in the second quarter. Tagovailoa was not in concussion protocol, according to the team on Monday.

He said he "hyper-extended" his back while attempting a quarterback sneak and having his legs entangled beneath someone.

McDaniel stated on Thursday that he does not believe his injuries from last week caused him to fall the same manner this week.

Following Tagovailoa's injury on Thursday, the NFLPA issued the following statement: "Player health and safety is at the heart of the union's purpose." Tonight, our thoughts are with Tua, and we wish him a healthy and swift recovery. The inquiry into the possible procedure breach is still continuing."

Some questioned the choice to play Tagovailoa so soon after his injury in the game on Sunday.

"That's a major injury," Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe tweeted. Tua should not have been out there with the Sunday to Thursday turnaround. Sometimes players need to be shielded from themselves. The Dolphins let Tua down."

Tagovailoa was 8 for 14 for 100 yards and an interception before departing Thursday's game. Bridgewater hit Chase Edmonds for a score with 15 seconds left in the half.

Tagovailoa's play has been crucial for the 3-0 Dolphins, who won a national title at Alabama. He entered the game ranked second in the NFL in passing yards with 925.