It was a frightening and somber moment Sunday in Houston, as Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose was stretchered off the field and taken to the hospital after absorbing a blow to the head.
DuBose was attempting to make a catch across the middle in the third quarter of Miami’s 20-12 loss when he was walloped helmet-to-helmet by Texans safety Calen Bullock, who was flagged for unnecessary roughness.
The game was paused for about 10 minutes as medical personnel cut off DuBose’s jersey and placed a brace around his neck before he was taken off the field.
Grant DuBose takes a scary hit. Hope he’s ok pic.twitter.com/OstNvUeMbf
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) December 15, 2024
The Dolphins announced that DuBose was in stable condition, but he was ruled out with a head injury and transported to Memorial Hermann Medical Center in Houston for further evaluation.
“First off, my intention was never to go out there and hurt nobody. That’s none of our intentions,” Bullock told reporters after the game. “So prayers to him and his family. I hope he’s good.”
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered his fourth documented concussion earlier this season, expressed regret about the play.
“I feel bad that I even put him in that situation to get hit,” Tagovailoa said. “I just think of what I could have done to not put Grant in that situation.”
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who was shown wiping away tears as DuBose was being treated, said the second-year player would remain in Houston overnight but the team had received some “positive feedback” about his condition.
“There’s no real formula, it’s always difficult. I think it’s difficult for both teams in those scenarios,” McDaniel said about finishing the game. “There’s nothing I can say or anything. You just have a lot of prideful guys trying to go back to work and I think motivated just by knowing Grant and how he’d want us to finish the game.
“I think it’s unfortunately something that you have to go through once in a while in the game. It’s not easy, and our hearts and thoughts and prayers are with him.”
DuBose, 23, was claimed off waivers from the Packers in August but spent much of the season on the injured list with a shoulder issue.
The second-year pro has appeared in three games for the Dolphins this season, with two receptions for 11 yards.
