After Christmas Day’s loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Miami Dolphins placed Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol for the second time this season.
“As much as I know, he’s displayed symptoms, and they enacted the protocol, which is all that needs to happen before you have to,” head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday on the doctors’ certainty. “By the player’s health, go through that whole process as they should, so it’s a little early.”
This comes after an apparent head injury sustained before halftime when Miami held a 20-10 lead, and Tagovailoa threw three interceptions after the play, most likely playing with a concussion.
“I know there’d be couple throws in particular that he’d love to have back,” McDaniel said on the mistakes made due to playing with a concussion. “I know there’s at least one decision that appears to be pretty poor that other guys on the offense would take 100 percent accountability for, so a lot goes into it, and I don’t think it’s always that simple.”
Tua Tagovailoa is not new to this as it’s his third time in the protocol this season after taking gruesome shots to the head against the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. This isn’t the first time he’s played through a possible concussion, as he did so against Buffalo, which led to investigations by the NFL and NFLPA.
Miami discovered the possible concussion the day after playing Green Bay as Tua Tagovailoa expressed symptoms to the Dolphins medical staff.
“I’m not totally sure; this is something that just came across my plate a couple of hours ago,” McDaniel said on the in-game evaluation of a possible concussion. “As far as the game was concerned, no one recognized anything with regard to any sort of hit; I can’t really tell you exactly what it was.”
Tagovailoa’s long-term health will be questioned, but the Dolphins playoff hopes dwindle as their star quarterback is unlikely to return for two pivotal divisional games. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will take over the job to possibly lead Miami into the playoffs.
“It’s too soon to really tell; you just know that someone goes into the protocol, and you have to be ready to really do whatever with that,” McDaniel said on Bridgewater starting. “I know Teddy (Bridgewater) will prepare as though he’s starting, and we’ll see as the week goes.”
To finish the season, Miami will face the New England Patriots and New York Jets, with both teams trying to steal the final AFC Wild Card spot.
Get the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on Twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook via Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.
Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up
