The Miami Dolphins could be without their starting and backup quarterbacks with their playoff hopes on the line when they face the New York Jets in Week 18.
Tua Tagovailoa He is not part of the Dolphins’ preparation for their regular-season finale as he is still in concussion protocol, coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Monday. Also, McDaniel was unsure of the status of Teddy Bridgewaterwho suffered a broken finger on his pitching hand in the Dolphins’ loss against the New England Patriots Sunday.
“For me, I’m preparing for both Skylar [Thompson] and Teddy,” McDaniel said. “I think it’s too early to know anything about Teddy.
“With Tua, I haven’t even thought about the state of playing”
Jay Glazer updates the status of Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts and Carson Wentz heading into NFL Week 17
FOX NFL reporter Jay Glazer shared when Tua Tagovailoa could return to the Dolphins.
Tagovailoa was placed in concussion protocol on Dec. 26, a day after the Dolphins’ 26-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He played the entirety of that game, throwing three interceptions in the second half that helped the Packers rally from a double-digit deficit to win. A joint review of the NFL and the NFLPA found that Tagovailoa showed no concussion symptoms during that game.
This is the second time Tagovailoa has been placed in concussion protocol this season, having missed two games in October following a Week 4 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. The NFL also made changes to its concussion protocols after the Tagovailoa episode.
Bridgewater started in place of Tagovailoa, who leads the league in passing yards, against the Patriots in Week 17. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 161 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but left in the third quarter when he tried take on Kyle Dugger. to the Patriots’ pick-six safety.
McDaniel said Bridgewater thought he might be able to play in the game again, though he briefly went to the locker room and never returned. The Dolphins will know more about Bridgewater’s status for Week 18 on Wednesday, McDaniel added.
Thompson, a seventh-round pick, completed 12 of 21 passes for 104 yards with a touchdown and an interception Sunday as he tried to lead the Dolphins to a comeback before falling 23-21. In six games this season, Thompson completed 40-of-74 passes (54.1%) for 382 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions, giving him a 56.2 passer rating.
Miami needs to beat New York and needs New England to lose to Buffalo to make the playoffs.
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