Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa has another confirmed concussion; Teddy Bridgewater to start vs. Patriots in Week 17

Tua Tagovailoa played Sunday’s entire Week 16 loss to the Packers despite suffering a head injury because the Dolphins quarterback didn’t display or report any immediate symptoms, the NFL‘s chief medical officer said this week. Two days later, Tagovailoa has effectively been ruled out for Week 17’s upcoming rematch with the Patriots — and indefinitely — with another confirmed concussion, coach Mike McDaniel told reporters.

“I’ve been advised by medical professionals that it’s critical that Tua worries only about the day that he’s currently in and nothing else,” McDaniel said Wednesday. “He is in the building, but beyond that, as medical professionals will tell you, any added pressure (to return to the field) … does not behoove the process. … (We’re concerned) about his health first and foremost. … This is a human being that I’ll do what the medical experts advise me to do.”

That advice, which included confirmation that Tagovailoa suffered at least his second concussion of the 2022 season against Green Bay, has led McDaniel and the Dolphins to prepare as if Tua will be unavailable against New England, and possibly beyond.

“The approach I’m unequivocally taking today … Teddy Bridgewater’s the starter,” McDaniel said. “This is why we thought it so vital to go after (Bridgewater) in free agency.”

Asked how Tagovailoa is doing, McDaniel declined to elaborate on the QB’s health, saying only that “he’s better than yesterday,” and that he personally feels “terrible” for Tagovailoa having to re-endure the concussion protocol process. The coach didn’t offer a timetable for Tagovailoa’s potential return, saying it would be “irresponsible” of him to project anything as the QB focuses on a day-to-day recovery.