HOUSTON – The Miami Dolphins placed wide receiver Grant DuBose on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his season.
The team stated that DuBose remained hospitalized in Houston as of Monday after sustaining a head injury during Sunday’s game against the Texans.
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The Dolphins posted on their X account that DuBose stayed overnight for evaluation but “has movement in all extremities, and initial tests have yielded positive results.” They said he is under the care of doctors for continued observation.
Here’s what Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and running back De’Von Achane told reporters Monday in regard to Dubose’s recovery:
The injury occurred in the third quarter when DuBose attempted to catch a pass and was struck in the head by rookie Calen Bullock.
After the helmet-to-helmet collision, DuBose’s head hit the turf violently, and he displayed what appeared to be a “fencing response,” often associated with traumatic brain injuries. Medical personnel rushed to the field as DuBose lay motionless, and he was attended to for over 10 minutes.
Bullock was flagged for unnecessary roughness for hitting a defenseless receiver. Reflecting on the play, Bullock said, “I was praying that he would be OK. I wasn’t trying to go out there and hurt nobody.”
The Dolphins gathered in a prayer circle as emergency responders worked to stabilize DuBose, placing him in a neck brace and securing him to a spine board before transporting him off the field. The emotional moment was marked by an embrace between McDaniel and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.
“It’s very tough to have seen live,” said Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. “I just feel bad that I even put him in that situation to have gotten hit. It was tough to move on after that happened.”
Tagovailoa, who has experienced similar injuries in his career, including a high-profile concussion that left him hospitalized in 2022, expressed empathy for his teammate.
“We all know that I’ve gone through something similar, and that’s no fun. You never want to be put in any of those situations,” he said.
McDaniel acknowledged the emotional impact of the incident on the team.
“There’s nothing that I can say or anything,” he said. “It’s unfortunately something you have to go through once in awhile in the game. It’s not easy.”
DuBose, a seventh-round pick last season, returned to action Sunday after missing time earlier in the season due to a shoulder injury.
The Dolphins and Texans, along with fans and players across the league, continue to hope for a full recovery for the young receiver.
The Dolphins also confirmed that they have also signed wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and quarterback Skylar Thompson to its practice squad.