The Miami Dolphins could be without their starting quarterback as their season hangs in the final two weeks of the regular season.
Tua Tagovailoa was placed in the NFL’s concussion protocol on Monday, leaving his status for Sunday’s Week 17 game against the New England Patriots in doubt.
After leading the Dolphins 20-10 on Sunday, Tagovailoa struggled in the second half of their 26-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He threw an interception on Miami’s final three drives, including one with 1:34 left in the game as the Dolphins tried to win the game on their final possession. Tagovailoa completed 16 of 25 passes for 310 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in the loss.
Aaron Rodgers beats Tua Tagovailoa as Packers hold off Dolphins, 26-20
Aaron Rodgers threw for a touchdown and 238 yards to help the Green Bay Packers to a 26-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins.
This is the second time Tagovailoa has entered the league’s concussion protocol this season. He suffered a concussion in the Dolphins’ Week 4 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in which he demonstrated a fencing response before being stretchered off the field and taken to a local hospital.
A week earlier, Tagovailoa appeared to suffer a head injury when his head hit the ground on a tackle during their Week 3 win against the Buffalo Bills, but it was determined to be a back injury at the time. The neurotrauma consultant involved in checking Tagovailoa’s concussion during that game was fired two days after the Week 4 incident, prompting the NFL and NFLPA to review their concussion policy .
Jay Glazer discusses NFL and NFLPA changes to concussion protocol after Tua Tagovailoa’s injuries
Jay Glazer discussed the NFL and NFLPA’s decision to investigate Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion protocol evaluation in October.
The concussion cost Tagovailoa two games. Despite struggling in recent weeks, Tagovailoa has statistically been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL this season. He is seventh in passing touchdowns (25), 10th in passing yards (3,548) and first in passer rating (105.5).
If Tagovailoa can’t play Sunday, Teddy Bridgewater would likely start as Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel announced he will get most of the starting reps during practice this week. Bridgewater completed 37 of 60 passes for 522 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions for an 86.5 passer rating in four games and two starts this season.
Miami fell to the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC after their loss on Christmas Day. The winner of Sunday’s Miami-New England game will control their own playoff destiny entering Week 18, the final week of the regular season.
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