Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has formally been recognized with a concussion, coach Mike McDaniel stated Wednesday.
Miami’s third-year quarterback accomplished Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Green Bay Packers with out displaying conduct or indicators that may trigger him to enter the NFL’s concussion protocol, however on Monday, McDaniel famous Tagovailoa entered protocol after exhibiting signs at workforce services Monday.
Up till Wednesday morning, Tagovailoa had not been identified to have sustained a concussion however solely was stated to be examined for one, as of Monday.
The NFL and NFL Players Association started a joint evaluate of how concussion protocol was dealt with in checking Tagovailoa.
“A joint NFL-NFLPA review of the application of the concussion protocol involving Miami Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is now underway,” a league spokesperson stated in a press release. “We welcome that review, and as we have done previously, we will report the results in conjunction with the NFLPA.”
McDaniel stated veteran Teddy Bridgewater will begin Sunday at New England in a crucial recreation as each groups are combating for the playoffs.
“Moving forward and the team’s whole approach is Teddy Bridgewater is the starter,” McDaniel stated. “I met with Teddy [Tuesday] and we were exchanging ideas and talking through some stuff all the way until 10:15 and then it was his bedtime.”
The concussion is at the very least Tagovailoa’s second this season after lacking two video games following the Sept. 29 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals when he was hospitalized after mendacity immobile on the sector and being taken off the sector on a stretcher. Observers additionally query if he sustained a concussion 4 days earlier, on Sept. 25, when he was woozy and stumbled following a blow to the top in a win over the Buffalo Bills.
McDaniel didn’t particularly level to the autumn that induced Tagovailoa’s head to bounce off the bottom late within the first half Sunday, in video that has circulated throughout social media for the reason that recreation, however he clarified that coaches urged Tagovailoa to examine with docs Monday upon reviewing movie to start the quarterback’s concussion examination.
“Once we get some information back, we’re like, ‘You need to go see the see the doctor,’ ” McDaniel stated. “So to say, with absolute certainty, that it was this, that or otherwise; it was just there were some things that caused us to really prod and, as a result, we felt like he needed to see medical professionals.”
McDaniel, whereas saying Tagovailoa was at workforce services Wednesday and doing higher than he was Tuesday, stated the Dolphins are taking the prognosis extraordinarily critically and are doing no matter they will to make sure he has a wholesome restoration.
“I’ve been advised by medical professionals that it’s critical that Tua worries only about the day that he’s currently in and nothing else,” McDaniel stated. “He is in the building, but beyond that, as medical professionals will tell you, any added pressure or anything beyond that day does not behoove the process at all. So, I’ll take that very serious and worry about his health first and foremost and take the advice of medical professionals.”
The Dolphins (8-7), having misplaced 4 consecutive video games and barely holding on to the ultimate AFC wild-card spot, go into the pivotal divisional matchup in Foxborough leaning on their backup quarterback. They are assured of clinching a playoff spot in the event that they win their remaining two video games in opposition to the Patriots (7-8) and New York Jets. However, they will clinch a postseason berth Sunday with a win in opposition to the Patriots and a Jets loss in Seattle. New England should win its final two video games to clinch a wild-card berth.
Tagovailoa additionally might miss subsequent week’s season finale in opposition to the Jets.
Bridgewater was counted on to complete the sport in Cincinnati in Week 4, began the next week’s loss to the Jets earlier than being disqualified by a concussion spotter after the primary play and performed in aid of fellow quarterback Skylar Thompson within the Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
“Every time you go out there, it’s an opportunity just to learn different things about your teammates and yourself,” Bridgewater stated of gaining chemistry with receivers. “We practice throughout the week. We throw routes on air. You get a good feel for the guys. You just want to apply it to the games.”
Players, like star receiver Tyreek Hill, are assured in Bridgewater, with 64 profession begins below his belt, dealing with the scenario.
“You remember my comment from earlier [this season] when I said I can put up numbers with anybody? That still stands,” Hill stated. “All of the guys got chemistry with Teddy. He just brings that veteran presence that we all kind of need. I even need it sometimes. Just to have another guy in the huddle giving me confidence, giving us confidence. Just having Teddy is going to be fine.”
Said Jaylen Waddle: “Teddy B is going to be himself out the huddle, in the huddle, just around. [He’s] a great leader.”
McDaniel didn’t say what stage of the league’s five-step protocol to return to play Tagovailoa is at present in. He declined to delve into specifics on his upcoming medical outlook.
“This is a private time for him to focus on his health and that’s all I really want to get into,” McDaniel stated. “I’ll do what the medical experts advise me to do, and I’m quite certain they’re not going to advise me in the wrong direction when it has to do with his health.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com