HOUSTON (WBTV) – A former UNC Charlotte football player went to the hospital after he was carted off following a scary hit to the head in Sunday’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans.

Grant DuBose, who was playing in just his third game for the Dolphins, was on the receiving end of an illegal hit with nine minutes left in the third quarter.

Houston’s Calen Bullock delivered the blow as DuBose attempted to catch a pass from Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

As DuBose started to go to the ground to pull in the pass, Bullock’s body went straight into the side of the receiver’s head.

The hit itself was scary, but the scene that unfolded after was even more so.

Immediately after the collision, DuBose rolled over onto his back and laid motionless. Then, after a few minutes of medical staff working on him, they cut his jersey off before loading him onto a stretcher and taking him to a local hospital. According to broadcasters, he appeared to have had an EKG and IV hooked up to him, as well as oxygen.

In the moments while medical personnel tended to the former Charlotte 49er, dozens of Dolphins players and staff members huddled for a group prayer.

DuBose injury update

About half an hour after DuBose went down, the Dolphins said he was in “stable condition,” and categorized the injury as one to the head. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel later told reporters that head and neck imaging showed “positive feedback.” Further updates were expected to be shared Monday.

After the game, fellow Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill called the situation “scary.”

“To be on the field, seeing it, and then actually seeing, you know, one of your brothers laying the way he was laying, it’s scary,” Hill said. “People don’t understand sacrifice that we, you know, have to make playing this game…we know Grant’s a soldier. We all prayed for him as a team and, you know, the word is he’s in good spirits.”

Hill did tell reporters that DuBose was moving.

DuBose reportedly did not travel back to Miami with the team Sunday night as he remained hospitalized.

Miami lost the game, 20-12.

Collegiate, NFL career

DuBose is currently in the second year of his NFL career, having played in only three games, all of which have come with Miami in 2024. He was taken by Green Bay in the seventh round of last year’s draft, but never saw the field.

He was released by the Packers in August and claimed by the Dolphins the following day. DuBose made his NFL debut in Miami’s season-opener on Sept. 8, and caught his first pass four days later on Thursday Night Football. Shortly after, though, he was placed on injured reserve. Sunday’s contest against Houston was his first game back.

During his three games, DuBose caught two passes for 13 yards. He has not yet scored as a pro.

Prior to reaching the NFL, DuBose became a star at UNC Charlotte, racking up nearly 1,700 yards and 15 touchdowns during his two seasons with the 49ers. Before that, he played at Miles College in Alabama.

At one point during the COVID-19 pandemic, DuBose started bagging groceries at Wal-Mart, and worked on the line at a local car factory.

“My journey hasn’t been the typical journey,” he said before the 2023 draft. “But I’m grateful for it all…I knew what I wanted in life. I knew that I wanted to be here today.”

DuBose is the eighth 49er to make it to the NFL.

Also Read: ‘Job’s not finished’: After betting on himself, UNC Charlotte star ready to begin NFL journey

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