The Miami Dolphins placed wide receiver Grant DuBose on injured reserve Tuesday, two days after a blow to the head sent him to a hospital during Miami’s 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans.
The trade ends DuBose’s season. A minimum of four missed games is required to be placed on injured reserve. The Dolphins have three games remaining on the schedule.
DuBose suffered the terrifying head injury on a play where Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa targeted him with a pass over the middle of the field in the third quarter. When the ball arrived, Texans safety Calen Bullock lowered his helmet and made direct contact with DuBose’s head.
DuBose went limp and remained on the field for several minutes while he received emergency medical treatment. Medical personnel cut off DuBose’s jersey and removed his helmet while he remained on his back.
They eventually placed him on a backboard and placed multiple straps across his body, while his arms were immobilized against his body. They also placed his neck in a brace and DuBose had an oxygen tube in his nose as staff wheeled him off the field on a stretcher.
The Dolphins later announced that he had been diagnosed with a head injury and was taken to a local hospital in Houston in stable condition for further evaluation. He remained hospitalized in Houston overnight after the team returned to Miami.
The Dolphins announced Monday that DuBose had movement in all his extremities.
“After suffering a head injury during yesterday’s game, Grant DuBose remained overnight at a local hospital in Houston for evaluation,” a Dolphins statement read. “He has freedom of movement in all limbs and initial tests have shown positive results. He remains under the care of doctors for continued observation.”
Further details about his condition were not disclosed Tuesday in the announcement that DuBose was placed on injured reserve.
Bullock spoke to reporters about the goal after Sunday’s game.
#Texans S Calen Bullock as he worries about the penalty for his hit #Texans WR Grant Dubose:
“No, not really. Like I said, it was never my intention to go out there and just try to completely take someone out of the game and hurt someone….” pic.twitter.com/qsamlfUlER
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 15, 2024
“It was never my intention to go out there and not hurt anyone,” Bullock said. “That’s not our intention. Prayers for him and his family. I hope he’s doing well. I just saw the ball and I was just snapping 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 on the Green Bay Packers practice squad after being selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. He played in college in Charlotte.
The Packers released DuBose in August, and the Dolphins claimed him off waivers. He played in three games with the Dolphins this season, including Sunday’s loss in Week 15. He made one catch Sunday before leaving the game with his head injury. DuBose finishes his second NFL season with two catches for 11 yards.
