Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose remains hospitalised after suffering a serious head injury during Sunday’s 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans. DuBose, 23, was injured in the third quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit by Texans safety Calen Bullock while attempting to catch a pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The incident left DuBose motionless on the field for over 11 minutes, requiring extensive medical attention.
DuBose was immobilised, had his facemask and helmet removed, and was placed on a spine board before being stretchered off the field. He was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where initial imaging of his head and neck showed encouraging results. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel noted the “positive feedback” but confirmed that DuBose would remain in Houston overnight for additional evaluation.
The injury marked a devastating moment for the Dolphins and their fans. Teammates knelt in prayer on the sideline while McDaniel and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans shared a brief embrace on the field. After the game, Ryans reflected on the gravity of the situation: “When you see a guy down on the field like that, it’s very hard to see. We’re just praying that all is well with him and that he recovers as quickly as possible.”
DuBose’s Teammates React
The hit on DuBose was met with immediate concern from his teammates and opponents. Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill described the moment as “scary,” emphasising the physical toll professional football takes on players. “People don’t understand the sacrifice we make to play this game, the things we put our bodies through,” Hill said.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has faced multiple concussions in his career, expressed deep regret over the play. “I feel bad that I even put him in that situation to have gotten hit,” Tagovailoa said. “I just think of what I could have done to have not put Grant in that position,” Tagovailoa added that he was relieved to hear positive updates about DuBose’s condition.
DuBose’s return to action on Sunday was his first appearance since Week 2 after a shoulder injury had sidelined him for most of the season. Despite the setback, Hill noted that DuBose was “in good spirits” after the incident, saying, “He’s moving, and that’s all that matters.”
Bullock Penalized for Hit
Texans safety Calen Bullock was penalised for unnecessary roughness for his hit on DuBose, which occurred as the receiver attempted to secure a pass. After the game, Bullock expressed remorse, saying, “I wasn’t trying to go out there and hurt nobody. I was praying that he would be okay.”
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In recent years, the NFL has seen an increased emphasis on player safety, with officials cracking down on hits deemed to target defenceless players. The league has not yet announced whether Bullock will face further disciplinary action.
Dolphins’ Struggles Continue
The Dolphins, already facing challenges this season, fell to a 6-8 record with Sunday’s loss. Despite the emotional weight of DuBose’s injury, the team continued to play after a lengthy delay. Miami scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game but couldn’t overcome Houston’s strong defence.
Coach McDaniel acknowledged the difficulty of focusing after such a harrowing incident but emphasised his responsibility to lead the team. “When the game starts, I have a lot of people counting on me to make sound decisions,” he said. “It’s not easy, but it’s my job.”
In addition to DuBose’s injury, the Dolphins lost receiver Jaylen Waddle in the first half to a knee injury. McDaniel described Waddle as “super frustrated” by the setback, with further updates on his condition expected Monday.
As DuBose remains under observation in Houston, the Dolphins organisation and fans hope for his full recovery. The incident is a sobering reminder of the physical risks players face every time they step onto the field.
