Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said everything is “so far so good” concerning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s recovery from a concussion.
“Nothing negative so far, but we’re still in the process,” McDaniel saidd.
The coach also told reporters that Tagovailoa has an expert consultation scheduled this week and that the final stages of protocol won’t be complete until he is off the injured reserve list. A stint on the IR list requires, at least, a four-game absence and with the Dolphins’ bye week coming in Week 6, Tagovailoa is not eligible to return until Week 8.
GO DEEPER
What is the NFL’s concussion protocol? The steps that take place before return to play
Last month in Miami’s Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa suffered a concussion. On a scramble in the red zone with 4:24 left to play in the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin and fell to the ground. Teammates immediately attended to him and the team’s medical staff hurried out.
Tagovailoa missed extensive time with head injuries in 2022 with two separate incidents (in Week 4 and Week 16) sidelining him for four regular season games and Miami’s playoff loss to the Bills. After that season, he told reporters he considered retiring.
GO DEEPER
Bills’ alleged blunder wasn’t so bad, but they need help (Davante Adams?): Sando’s Pick Six
Since Tagovailoa’s injury, Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley have started games for the Dolphins, who enter their bye week at 2-3 and tied for second in the AFC East. In two games this year, Tagovailoa has thrown for 483 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. In five seasons, he has a 33-20 record as the team’s starting quarterback and made his first Pro Bowl team in 2023 after leading the league in passing yards (4,624).
Required reading
-
(Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
