Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater remain in concussion protocol. The protocol changes brought on by Tagovailoa’s injury helped lead Bridgewater out of the Dolphins’ Week 5 game. As of now, it does not look like either will be back in Week 6.
Mike McDaniel said Wednesday rookie seventh-rounder Skylar Thompson is expected to be Miami’s starting quarterback against Minnesota in Week 6. Although McDaniel did not guarantee Tagovailoa would miss a second straight game, that is the expectation.
McDaniel added (via NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe, on Twitter) that Bridgewater clearing the protocol before Sunday would likely mean he is Thompson’s backup, flipping the roles from Week 5. Had Bridgewater’s concussion not occurred, the veteran would certainly be in position to start against the Vikings. But the former Minnesota first-round pick has now sustained three concussions over the past two years. The Dolphins exercising caution here is unsurprising, given recent events.
Tagovailoa, whose quick return from a Week 3 injury ignited a firestorm that led to the NFL and NFLPA agreeing on new protocols regarding players who show concussion-like symptoms, is expected to resume throwing Wednesday, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. While it does appear the 2020 first-round pick is on the right track, McDaniel said Monday no timetable exists for a return.
After going down with a concussion in a scary Week 4 scene, Tagovailoa has consulted with four independent specialists, per NFL.com. He increased his cardio and strength work over the weekend. It certainly looks like the Alabama product is on his way to returning — perhaps before the midseason point — but this injury has undeniably altered Miami’s season and changed the NFL.
McDaniel viewing Thompson on a full week of practices as a better option than a limited Bridgewater, as the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson notes (via Twitter), is interesting. Bridgewater, however, missed three full games and parts of two others due to concussions in 2021. The league’s previous protocol allowed Bridgewater to return from a Sunday concussion in time to play a Thursday-night game in Cleveland last year. The ninth-year passer’s latest setback came on his first snap against the Jets. Independent spotters’ observations led to Bridgewater’s removal, one that obviously changed the Dolphins’ outlook against their AFC East rivals.
A Kansas City, Mo., native who excelled at Kansas State, Thompson went off the board 247th in this year’s draft. His surprise debut produced a 19-for-33 completion rate and 166 passing yards. While Thompson threw a touchdown pass, he committed two turnovers that helped key a Jets onslaught. The Jets’ 40-17 win represented their biggest margin of victory over the Dolphins in 15 years. A second Thompson start would certainly play into the Vikings’ hands Sunday in Miami, giving the Dolphins a greater chance to fall from 3-0 to 3-3.
I’m confused…Bridgewater cleared protocol during the game that he was not allowed to come back into. What does he still need to clear?
They want to play that guy with more practice time this week . They want to play it safe with teddy since it his 3rd one in two years
So who is Thompsons backup if he is starting?
Tua will start
Thompson is a fun prospect for a 7th round QB, but sticking him behind two backup tackles could get really ugly. I imagine you’d see a lot of plays designed to get the ball to their playmakers as fast as possible.
This is a clever move. Neither of the dual starter level QB’s is healthy. Playing them could lead to lingering injuries in both cases (Tua is ruled out by league moreover) ruining the season. The Vikings are a tough opponent. Better to throw this game than risk the rest of the season. Get the pain over with up front.
Everything looked so good for Tua finally and now his breakout season is on the rocks.
For the sake of his long term well being, it’s time for Bridgewater to retire from playing pro football.
Between the surgically repaired massive knee injury, the recent concussion proclivity and the possibility of previously undiagnosed concussions over the course of having played the game earlier in his life, it is time to let go of playing the game.
Better than being a gimpy, hobbled, doddering, brain injured fool.
Yes. It’s time. He needs to cross that bridge over troubled waters and soon; like now.