CNN
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Miami Dolphins quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater are still sidelined by NFL concussion protocols and neither have a definite return date, head coach Mike says. McDaniel.
Tagovailoa suffered a concussion Sept. 30 after being sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou in the second quarter.
The 24-year-old lay motionless on the pitch for several minutes before being placed on a backboard and stretcher.
The video showed Tagovailoa’s forearms flexed and his fingers twisted – a sign CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta said was a ‘fencing response’ and may be linked to brain damage.
McDaniel told reporters Monday that Tagovailoa is recovering well.
“I don’t even really think about his schedule. Like I said before, we just try to make it as healthy as possible,” he said.
“We’re pretty much in a recurring 12-24 hour evaluation process, and he’s doing well.
“He was here today, but he’s not ready to take the plunge to do football stuff yet.”
Tagovailoa suffered an injury in the previous match and was cleared to continue. He then played against the Bengals before being sidelined.
A review of his injury response resulted in a change to the league’s concussion protocols.
Under the new rules, players will not be able to compete if they suffer from ataxia, which describes a lack of coordination caused by poor muscle control.
Bridgewater had replaced Tagovailoa for the Dolphins’ next game but was later sidelined himself after taking a knock.
He was unable to return to play due to the new concussion protocol which came into effect the same day, making Bridgewater one of the first players to be sidelined under the new rules.
Bridgewater was hit in the head on his first snap of the game when he was tackled to the ground after throwing the ball.
The Dolphins tweeted that he had been assessed for head and elbow injuries and later announced that he had been ruled out of the game.
“He had no symptoms today. He had no symptoms yesterday but as per the rule change he is being treated as if he had a concussion,” McDaniel added.
“So he’s in the next protocol.”
The Dolphins face the Minnesota Vikings in their next game on Sunday with rookie signaller Skylar Thompson most likely to take on quarterback responsibilities.
However, despite the bad luck, McDaniel is not sorry for the selection dilemma.
“It’s difficult but nothing that I don’t see as part of what I expect of myself and what I expect of the coaching staff so you don’t need to shed tears to me,” he said.
