MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose remained in the hospital but had movement in all extremities after being stretchered off the field following a scary helmet-to-helmet hit against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
In an update Monday morning, the Dolphins said DuBose remained at a local Houston hospital for evaluation overnight, and that initial tests revealed “positive results” following the collision.
DuBose tried to make a catch in the third quarter, but was hit in the head by safety Calen Bullock before his head violently hit the turf. He appeared to clench both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury — before remaining motionless as medical personnel rushed to his side.
DuBose was tended to by emergency medical personnel on the field for at least 10 minutes. His jersey was cut off him and a neck brace was put on him while players from both teams took a knee and watched with concern.
DuBose was eventually put on a spine board where his arms and legs were strapped down and he was taken off the field. A tube of some kind was in his mouth and no movement could be seen as he was taken off the field and later hospitalized in stable condition.
“That’s very unfortunate,” Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said afterward, “very tough to have seen live.”
Tagovailoa, who has had multiple concussions in his NFL career, including one that had him taken off the field on a stretcher at Cincinnati in 2022, said it was tough to move on after that happened.
“I’m my toughest critic when it comes to ball placement,” Tagovailoa said, “when it comes to knowing where to go with the ball and all of that. I just feel bad that I even put him in that situation to have gotten hit.”
Sunday was DuBose's first game since Week 2 because of a shoulder injury.
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Alanis Thames, The Associated Press
