Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose was hospitalized after suffering a severe head injury during a helmet-to-helmet collision in the Dolphins’ loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. The incident, which occurred in the third quarter, resulted in DuBose being taken off the field on a stretcher and rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston.
The Incident: Helmet-to-Helmet Collision
DuBose attempted to catch a pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa when he was struck in the head by Texans safety Calen Bullock. The impact caused DuBose’s head to hit the turf violently, and he appeared to exhibit the “fencing response”, a reflex often associated with traumatic brain injuries.
Medical personnel attended to DuBose for more than 10 minutes, cutting off his jersey and placing him in a neck brace before carefully strapping him onto a spine board. His lack of visible movement raised immediate concerns as players from both teams looked on with distress.
- Coach Mike McDaniel later provided an update:“There’s been some positive feedback related to some head and neck imaging. He will stay here overnight, and we’ll find out more by Monday.”
Player Reactions: Concern and Solidarity
The Dolphins players appeared visibly shaken, with the team gathering in a circle to kneel and pray for DuBose while he was treated on the field. Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans and McDaniel were seen embracing in a show of mutual support during the difficult moment.
- Tua Tagovailoa, reflecting on his own history of concussions, said:“I feel bad that I even put him in that situation. You never want to see a teammate go through that.”
- Calen Bullock, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness, emphasized:“I wasn’t trying to go out there and hurt anybody. I was praying that he would be OK.”
Wide receiver Tyreek Hill shared after the game that DuBose was in “good spirits” and that he was moving, providing some relief to his teammates and fans.
Grant DuBose’s Season and Background
DuBose, a seventh-round draft pick, returned to play on Sunday after being sidelined for several weeks with a shoulder injury. The injury marks his second setback this season, a tough blow for the promising wide receiver.
Second Consecutive Texans Game With a Major Injury
This incident follows another illegal hit in a previous Texans game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In that match, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair delivered a dangerous forearm strike to quarterback Trevor Lawrence, leading to a concussion and Al-Shaair’s three-game suspension.
Impact on the Dolphins
The Dolphins’ 20-12 loss to the Texans was overshadowed by the severity of DuBose’s injury. With other key injuries, including wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who left the game with a knee issue, the Dolphins face further challenges as they look to rebound.
McDaniel acknowledged the difficulty of staying focused after such a traumatic event:
“It’s not easy to move forward, but we know Grant would want us to finish the game strong.”
What’s Next for Grant DuBose?
DuBose remains under observation in Houston as medical staff continue head and neck evaluations. Further updates on his condition are expected on Monday. The Dolphins and their fans will await good news regarding his recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Grant DuBose suffered a helmet-to-helmet injury and was hospitalized in stable condition.
- Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel provided positive feedback regarding his imaging results.
- Calen Bullock was penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play.
- The Dolphins continue to deal with injuries, including Jaylen Waddle’s knee issue.
Grant DuBose’s resilience will be key as the Dolphins and their fans rally behind him for a speedy recovery. The incident highlights the ongoing concerns around player safety in the NFL.
