Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Finally Clears Concussion Protocol

According to the NFL Network, the former Alabama quarterback has finally been cleared roughly six weeks after his latest setback.

The Miami Dolphins saw their season come to an end a couple of weeks ago with a playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can finally begin his offseason. 

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that Tagovailoa had finally cleared the concussion protocol.

Tagovailoa’s 2022 season ended with 3,528 passing yards, 25 touchdown passes and eight interceptions with the Dolphins finishing 9–8 on the year.  They still made the playoffs as the AFC's seventh-seeded team, but lost in the wild-card round. 

This was the 24-year-old's second stint in the protocol this season. 

The parents of the former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback told a television reporter from Honolulu last week that they had no doubt he'll be back playing next season. The Dolphins have also confirmed that they remain committed to Tagovailoa being their starting quarterback. 

Tagovailoa appeared to suffer a head injury in September against the Bills, only to be cleared to return by an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant -- who was eventually fired. 

Four days later, during Miami’s Week 4 game against the Bengals, Tagovailoa was knocked unconscious after hitting the back of his head on the ground. He was briefly hospitalized and subsequently entered the protocol. 

The incident led to a joint league and NFL Players Association investigation, which resulted in the league changing its concussion protocol to mandate that any player who shows possible concussion symptoms—including a lack of balance or stability—sit out the remainder of a game.

Tagovailoa’s latest head injury came on Christmas Day against the Packers. He self-reported concussion symptoms the next day after playing the entire game and subsequently missed the rest of the season.

Although Tagovailoa was listed as a first alternate to this weekend's Pro Bowl, he won't participate. The AFC's fourth alternate at quarterback, Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, was named to the team on Tuesday. 

Regardless, the Pro Bowl has been reorganized from an all-star exhibition to the “Pro Bowl Games,” a multi-discipline event that will culminate in a flag football game.

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