Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
Tagovailoa returned to practice on a limited basis on Wednesday and was a full participant on Thursday, including contact. It’s his first time participating in practice since suffering a concussion in Week 2, his third in two years.
Following his improved status, Tagovailoa was able to meet with an independent neurological consultant to receive full approval of the concussion protocol and return to action.
“Tua Tagovailoa followed the NFL’s five-step Return to Participation Protocol, which included an examination and clearance by an independent neurological consultant,” a statement from the Dolphins said.
“After Thursday’s practice, Tagovailoa was examined by the independent neurological consultant and cleared to play in Sunday’s game.
“While completing the Return to Participation Protocol, Tagovailoa has received care from top medical experts from across the country.
“Those experts spoke candidly with Tagovailoa about his history and not a single doctor recommended he retire.
“Tagovailoa’s decision to return to play after medical clearance is a decision he made together with his doctors and his family.”
Despite his recent concussion history, Tagovailoa said this week that he had no plans to wear a Guardian Cap for extra protection, saying it was a “personal choice.” He also said he needs to be “smart” about the way he plays in the future to avoid future injuries.
“I’ve been a competitor my entire time playing football and that’s kind of my advantage if I walked away from high school, even in college I would do the same thing,” Tagovailoa said. “But it is a professional setting; this is the professional level, the best of the best, you just can’t do that. So we definitely have to remain more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys.”
Without Tagovailoa, the Dolphins offense has struggled, going 0-3 since the 26-year-old was injured. Tyler Huntley, who the Dolphins acquired after placing Tagovailoa on injured reserve, has struggled in his past two games, throwing for 290 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
The Dolphins offense as a whole has been challenged since Tagovailoa left the lineup. Miami has averaged just 10 points per game since Week 2 and their top two wide receivers – Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle – haven’t surpassed 70 receiving yards since both recorded over 100 yards in Week 1.
Hill was excited to hear the news of Tagovailoa’s return to practice and is looking forward to interacting with him on the field like he used to.
“Me and him had some deep shots together today, and that made me feel good today,” Hill said Wednesday. “I missed that and I missed him. I told him I had to take him and his wife out to dinner because I missed him so much. S*** was so beautiful, that *** almost made me cry today, like just having him in the lineup, letting him call the plays, letting him lead the offense, like just hearing his voice.
“I know it sounds crazy, but he’s a big part of this team.”
