Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the field on a stretcher during the game against the Bengals | CNN

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was stretchered off the field Thursday during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, after suffering apparent head and neck injuries – less than a week after he was injured. was injured in another game.

Tagovailoa is conscious, has movement in all of his extremities and has been taken to a local hospital for further evaluation, the team said in an update. He added that he is expected to be released from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and return to Miami with the team tonight.

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed after the team’s 27-15 loss that Tagovailoa had nothing more serious than a concussion.

In the second quarter, Tagovailoa was sacked by Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou and was motionless on the field for several minutes.

The entire Dolphins sideline entered the field as Tagovailoa was placed on the backboard and stretcher.

Bengals fans at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati showed their respect as Tagovailoa was ejected from the field.

“It was a scary moment,” McDaniel said after the game. “He was assessed for a concussion and is in concussion protocol… It was an emotional moment. It’s not part of the deal anyone signs even though you know it’s a possibility in football.

“All his teammates, myself, we were all very worried,” he added.

In a statement late Thursday, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) said player health and safety was “core” to their mission.

“Our concern tonight is Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery,” he said. “Our investigation into the potential breach of protocol is ongoing.”

The incident comes just days after Tagovailoa suffered another apparent head injury last Sunday in a game against the Buffalo Bills.

He left the game in the second quarter after a hit from linebacker Matt Milano knocked his helmet to the turf. On his way back to the line of scrimmage, Tagovailoa tripped and nearly lost his balance.

He was later checked for a concussion and cleared, and returned to the field in the third quarter.

Subsequently, the NFLPA said the National Football League (NFL), he wants to launch a review of the management of Tagovailoa’s apparent head injury.

The Dolphins later said Tagovailoa suffered a back injury, not a head injury.

Tagovailoa has been listed as doubtful to play ahead of tonight’s game with a back injury.

On Thursday, McDaniel defended the team’s decision to play at Tagovailoa despite the previous injury, saying an independent doctor specializing in “brain matter” cleared him to play.

“For me, as long as I’m coaching here, I’m not going to fake this whole situation – if there’s any tendency for someone to have a concussion, they go into concussion protocol,” said he declared. “We don’t joke about it. I’ve never done that and as long as I’m the head coach it’s never going to be an issue you have to worry about.

When asked if there was anything different the team could have done after Tagovailoa’s injury on Sunday, McDaniel replied with a resounding “absolutely not”.