Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa enters concussion protocol again

MIAMI GARDENS — Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel announced Monday, putting his quarterback’s availability in question for Sunday’s key divisional game at New England.

It’s uncertain whether Tagovailoa actually suffered a concussion in Sunday’s 26-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers, only that he showed symptoms Monday and met with the medical staff. It’s also uncertain when or how any injury may have occurred.

“No one recognized anything with with regard to any sort of hit,” said McDaniel, addressing reporters shortly after hearing the news himself. “I can’t really tell you exactly what it was. I’m not totally positive on that. But it was it was something that he met with the doctors today and discussed some symptoms.”

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McDaniel said backup Teddy Bridgewater would get the majority of reps in practice this week and prepare as if he’s starting. Rookie Skylar Thompson would back up Bridgewater as Tagovailoa faces a race against time to possibly get cleared to suit up against the Patriots.

Head injuries dogged Tagovailoa early this season starting with a home victory over Buffalo in which his head hit the turf hard. He suffered a concussion the next week at Cincinnati as a national debate raged over the NFL’s protocol standards. Tagovailoa missed the next two games.

Tagovailoa entered the Green Bay game having thrown only five interceptions all season. He threw three in the fourth quarter against the Packers.

The loss dropped the Dolphins to 8-7 and was their fourth in a row. They can still clinch a playoff berth if they avoid ending the regular season with losses to the Patriots and home against the Jets, and whether they have Tagovailoa is in question.

“That’s one of the reasons you go and aggressively pursue a player like Teddy Bridgewater,” McDaniel said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tua Tagovailoa: Miami Dolphins QB enters concussion protocol again