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(CNN) --
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was carried off the field on a stretcher Thursday during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals after suffering apparent head and neck injuries less than a week after being injured in another game.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is carried off the field on a stretcher during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 29 in Cincinnati.
Tagovailoa is conscious, has movement in all his limbs and was 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 fly back to Miami with the team tonight.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed after the team's 27-15 loss that Tagovailoa had a concussion.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was sacked by the Bengals' Josh Tupou during the first half of an NFL football game Sept. 29 in Cincinnati.
In the second quarter, Tagovailoa was sacked by Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou and remained motionless on the field for several minutes.
All of the Dolphins' bench players entered the field as Tagovailoa was placed on the stretcher.
Bengals fans in attendance at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati showed their respect as Tagovailoa was carried off the field.
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"It was a scary moment," McDaniel said after the game.
"He was evaluated for a concussion and he's in concussion protocol. ... That was an emotional moment. That's not part of the deal you sign even though you know it's a possibility in football."
"All his colleagues, myself, we were all very worried," he added.
In a statement Thursday night, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) said the health and safety of players was "at the core" of its mission.
"Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery," he said.
"Our investigation into the possible protocol violation is ongoing."
Doctors examine Tua Tagovailoa during the game against the Bengals.
The incident comes just days after Tagovailoa suffered another apparent head injury last Sunday in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
He had left the game in the second quarter after a hit by linebacker Matt Milano caused his helmet to hit the turf.
On his way back to the line of scrimmage, Tagovailoa stumbled and almost lost his balance.
He was then checked out for a concussion and retired, returning to the field in the third quarter.
The NFLPA later told the National Football League (NFL) that it wants to launch a review into the handling of Tagovailoa's apparent head injury.
The Dolphins later said Tagovailoa suffered a back injury, not his head.
Tagovailoa was listed as a doubt to play before tonight's game due to a back injury.
On Thursday, McDaniel defended the team's decision to play Tagovailoa despite the earlier injury, saying an independent doctor specializing in "brain matters" had cleared him to play.
"For me, as long as I'm training here, I'm not going to dodge that whole situation, if there's any kind of chance someone has a concussion, they go into concussion protocol," he said.
"We don't mess with it. I never have and as long as I'm the head coach, it's never going to be an issue you have to worry about."
Asked if there was anything different the team could have done after Tagovailoa's injury on Sunday, McDaniel responded with a resounding "absolutely not."
Miami Dolphins