Houston Texans rookie safety Calen Bullock addressed the media on Sunday after a hit during the game against the Miami Dolphins sent wide receiver Grant DuBose to the hospital. Bullock, flagged for unnecessary roughness, expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing it was never his intention to cause harm.
The incident occurred midway through the third quarter at NRG Stadium with the Dolphins trailing 20-6. DuBose had just caught a pass across the middle from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa when Bullock delivered a high-impact hit. The collision left DuBose motionless on the field, prompting immediate medical attention.
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A scary moment on the field
Team staff removed his jersey and face mask before carefully securing him onto a stretcher. After a delay of more than 12 minutes, DuBose was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later reported to be in stable condition.
First off, my intentions were never to hurt anyone,” Bullock said post-game. “Prayers to him and his family. I hope he’s good. I was just reacting to the play, breaking on the ball. It just happened to be one of those plays.
Positive updates on DuBose’s condition
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel provided encouraging updates, confirming that DuBose’s head and neck scans had shown “positive feedback.” Although DuBose remained hospitalized overnight for observation, McDaniel expressed relief, stating, “That’s a good start right there. I’m happy for him. I was praying he’d be okay.”
The challenges for defensive players
Bullock, a standout rookie from USC, reflected on the difficulties defensive players face in balancing safety and aggression in a contact sport. “It’s very difficult for a defensive player because we’re trying to think about protecting [offensive players], but we also have to protect ourselves,” he explained. “At the end of the day, it’s still a violent game.”
This incident comes just weeks after Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended for three games due to repeated violations of player safety rules. However, Bullock has no history of fines or suspensions, which could work in his favor should the NFL review Sunday’s hit.
The Texans, now grappling with the fallout from this high-profile moment, will likely await further league action while Bullock’s comments signal his hope for understanding in a sport where split-second decisions can have serious consequences.
