Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has once again entered the concussion protocol.
After a miserable second half of football against the Green Bay Packers on Monday (all times AEDT), Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced that Tagovailoa would be entering the concussion protocol, putting his status in doubt for next Monday’s game against the Patriots as the team tries to advance to the playoffs.
The team is unsure of when the third-year quarterback sustained the concussion, which comes three months after he was frighteningly stretchered off the field during a game against the Bengals.
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Week 17
“Nobody recognised anything with regard to a hit,” McDaniel told reporters. “It was something he met with doctors today and discussed some symptoms.”
Tagovailoa’s head did appear to hit the ground during a play in the second quarter on Monday against the Packers, but it’s unclear if the 24-year-old displayed any symptoms at the time.
Tagovailoa potentially having another concussion is particularly concerning after he sustained a concussion on Sept. 29 against the Bengals when his head was smashed into the ground during a tackle. Tagovailoa’s hands contorted in what was likely a “fencing response” and he was stretchered off the field.
The quarterback’s presence in the Bengals game was controversial because just four days earlier against the Bills, Tagovailoa stumbled as he tried to get up after his head hit the ground. Tagovailoa missed two games after his concussion against the Bengals, returning on Oct. 23 against the Steelers.
According to McDaniel, backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will take most of the first-team reps in anticipation of starting against the Patriots in Foxborough.
The Dolphins (8-7) and Patriots (7-8) will play at 1pm on New Year’s Day. Miami won the first meeting in Week 1, 20-7. Miami finishes the season hosting the Jets (7-8) on Jan. 8.
–This article was first published in The New York Post and reproduced with permission
