Miami Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose took a direct blow to his head on Sunday against the Houston Texans and left the field immobilized on a stretcher.
He was diagnosed with a head injury and taken to a local hospital in Houston for further evaluation. The Dolphins announced at the time that he was in stable condition.
The Dolphins didn’t offer a clear update of his status after the game. Per ESPN, head coach Mike McDaniel said that there’s been some “positive feedback” after head and neck imaging and that DuBose would remain in Houston overnight for continued care and evaluation.
DuBose remained down on the field for several minutes while receiving medical attention after the hit. Dolphins players collectively took a knee and surrounded Dubose while he received treatment.
Medical staff cut off DuBose’s jersey and removed his helmet while giving him treatment. They placed him on a backboard and placed multiple straps across his body with his arms immobilized against his body. His neck was placed in a brace, and he had an oxygen tube in his nose as staff wheeled him off the field on a stretcher.
From the CBS broadcast footage, DuBose did not display movement while being wheeled off the field. It’s unclear if he was conscious.
The hit took place in the third quarter as the Texans held a 20-6 lead in their 20-12 win. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa targeted DuBose with a pass over the middle of the field on second-and-9.
As the ball arrived, Texans safety Calen Bullock lowered his helmet and made direct contact with DuBose’s head.
DuBose went limp and remained on his back immediately after the hit. Officials penalized Bullock for unnecessary roughness.
Bullock talked about the hit with reporters postgame.
#Texans S Calen Bullock on if he’s worried about league punishment for his hit on #Texans WR Grant Dubose:
“No not really. Like I said, my intentions were never to go out there and just try to completely take someone out the game and hurt somebody…” pic.twitter.com/qsamlfUlER
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 15, 2024
“My intention was never to go out there and hurt nobody,” Bullock said. “That’s none of our intention. Prayer to him and his family. I hope he’s good. I just seeing the ball and I was just breaking on the ball. It just happened to be one of those types of plays.”
DuBose, 23, is a second-year pro who spent his rookie season in 2023 with the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad after being selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. He played in college at Charlotte.
The Packers released him in August, and the Dolphins claimed him off waivers. He played in two previous games with Miami this season and made one catch for 13 yards. He made one catch on Sunday prior to leaving the game with his head injury.