Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol again

Miami Gardens, Florida — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back on NFL concussion protocol, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

Tagovailoa was experiencing symptoms when he met with team doctors on Monday, but McDaniel said it was unclear if Tagovailoa suffered a concussion during Sunday’s 26-20 loss to Green Bay.

Tagovailoa appeared to hit his head on the ground when he was tackled in the second quarter against the Packers, but he never left the game and was not evaluated for concussion.

“As far as the game is concerned, in terms of hits of any kind, nobody recognized anything. I can’t say exactly what it was,” said McDaniel, who received the news Monday afternoon. He added.

Concussion Protocol is enacted whenever a player reports symptoms related to concussion.

With no set timetable for ending protocol, Tagovailoa could be in for a pivotal game in New England on Sunday if cleared through the NFL’s five-step process.

Teddy Bridgewater will practice with the first team this week, but McDaniel said it’s too early to name a starter for Week 17.

“That’s one of the reasons we aggressively pursue players like Teddy Bridgewater,” McDaniel said.

If Tagovailoa has a concussion, it will be the second time this season.

He entered concussion protocol after suffering a horrific blow that knocked him unconscious during the Sept. 29 Miami game in Cincinnati.

Tagovailoa got another big blow four days before the Cincinnati game, during a win over Buffalo. He appeared to show symptoms of a concussion, but was assessed and stayed in the game. The NFL has since changed its concussion protocol to require that players exhibiting possible symptoms of a concussion (including lack of balance or stability) miss the remainder of the game.

The injury comes at a difficult time for Miami (8-7), who have fallen to bottom of the AFC playoffs after losing four games in a row.

“This is what all the destinies have in store for us,” said McDaniel.

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