Tua Tagovailoa makes statement on retiring after Miami Dolphins star's head injuries

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has suffered multiple concussions during his five-year NFL career, but insists that retirement has not crossed his mind

Tua Tagovailoa insists quitting the NFL is not on the cards, despite a number of worrying head injuries during his career.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback, who has been plagued by concussions over his five-year stint, was sidelined for five weeks following another during the Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills.

In that match, the 26 year old chose not to slide and collided with Bills' Damar Hamlin, leaving him sprawled on the ground. That has led to concerns that his days could be numbered - but Tagovailoa has reassured fans he's not ready to walk away just yet.

Before taking on the Los Angeles Rams, Tagovailoa told ESPN: "It never stuck in my mind that I was ever thinking of retiring. Whether the doctors told me that or not, it would have just been information for me."

He acknowledged the significant influence of his family on his decision to continue playing, stating: "With what I was doing working out week-to-week, I'm in here everyday. It's like a no-brainer, what am I working hard for then?"

Reflecting on the moment he realised another concussion may have occurred, he said: "I would say from the second it happened, obviously not a good feeling being out on the field, knowing the situation. Trying to do all I can to get a first down, not knowing, can I slide in this situation? It was forth down. Can I slide? Do I have to go for it? "

"If you look at that play again, I looked to the right before I scrambled to see where the marker is before I go for it and dive for it. So I'm sort of re-tweaking everything."

Yet, despite recently voicing that he didn't want to become "the poster boy for concussions", Tagovailoa appeared to be in a precarious position after going head-to-head with Rams' linebacker Christian Rozeboom.

Confronted with queries regarding his tackling technique, he admitted to reporters, "I wasn't planning on using my head [to tackle him]. I didn't feel any ill-effects.."

The quarterback did concede, however, "It was pretty bad tackling form though. From the second it happened, obviously [it was] not a good feeling."

Reflecting on the incident's repercussions, he acknowledged: "I ended up making a decision that obviously everyone that has supported me - and everyone that doesn't support me that has been looking and watching that game - would be like, 'Dude, what are you doing?'"