Patriots Country

Dolphins Reveal Tua Tagovailoa Concussion Status: OUT vs. Patriots?

The third-year Miami Dolphins' starter remains in concussion protocol after suffering an apparent head injury during their Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Mike D'Abate

FOXBORO — As the New England Patriots prepare for their Week 17 matchup with the Miami Dolphins, they will not be game-planning to face Fins' starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. 

Just one day after advising that Tagovailoa had been placed in concussion protocol Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed on Wednesday that the 24-year-old would not be in the lineup for their New Year's Day game against the Pats at Gillette Stadium.

As such, reserve quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will get the start in Tagovailoa's stead.

“The whole idea of taking day-to-day is kind of rough on coaches, who have to plan for a bunch of people,” McDaniel said.” The approach that I’m unequivocally taking today — I met with him yesterday, I met with Teddy yesterday. I was exchanging ideas and talking through some stuff all the way until like 10:15 last night; that was his bedtime. And so, moving forward today the whole team’s approach is Teddy Bridgewater’s the starter.”

With both the Patriots and Dolphins in need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, Tagovailoa's absence will certainly change the complexity of the contest for each team. Unfortunately, his status for the remainder of the season could be in also be in jeopardy because of a frighteningly familiar issue.

Tagovailoa was first evaluated for a concussion in late September. He was eventually cleared but entered protocol the following week and had to sit out two games as a result.

McDaniel previously told reporters that Tagovailola had met with team doctors early Monday morning after experiencing concussion symptoms. Miami's coach also said that he was uncertain as to when his quarterback was injured in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers. However, replays showed Tagovailoa's head hitting the turf at Hard Rock Stadium late in the second quarter.

Tagovailoa is currently having his best statistical season since entering the NFL as a first-round draft pick in 2020. In his first year under McDaniel, he has completed 259 of 400 pass attempts (64.8 percent) for 3,548 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Miami is 8-5 with him in the starting lineup, and 0-2 in his absence.

Bridgewater, who up until last weekend had been inactive for four weeks because of a knee issue, will now take the ball during the week in a game that is pivotal to the teams' hopes of success. Bridgewater has seen action in four games with one start this year, completing 61.7 percent of his throws for 522 yards, three touchdowns and three picks.

Miami has lost four straight and is 8-7, while the Pats enter the contest at 7-8, Though both teams will ultimately finish behind the 12-3 division-title-clinching Buffalo Bills, New England controls its own fate, and will qualify for the postseason by winning their final two games against Miami and Buffalo. 

Still, Tagovailoa’s health remains the most important thing. Neither rivalry nor playoff standings mean anything when considering a person's health and well-being. McDaniel was certain to make that position clear to everyone. 

“I just want guys to be done right by the information we have, the science of it, all the medical expertise that we rely on,” McDaniel said. “I care very deeply about each and every player. I take that seriously. So, I just want him to get healthy, have peace of mind in that regard. That’s first and foremost, and then whatever those circumstances are we’ll deal after. But it’s about the human being and making sure he’s squared away.”

The Patriots and Dolphins are set for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, Jan 1 at Gillette Stadium. 

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Mike D'Abate
MIKE D'ABATE

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