NFL-NFLPA finish review into Tagovailoa’s concussion. And Dolphins make slew of roster moves
A review by the NFL and the NFL Players Association into the circumstances surrounding Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s latest concussion found no violation of the protocol.
The league and players union issued a joint statement on Saturday, saying that the protocol was not triggered during Miami’s Christmas Day game against the Green Bay Packers because Tagovailoa did not exhibit or report symptoms at the time. Their statement aligns with comments earlier in the week from Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL’s chief medical officer, who both said Tagovailoa self-reported symptoms the morning after he played the entirety of the 26-20 loss to Green Bay.
McDaniel and quarterbacks coach Darrell Bevell said that after reviewing footage of the game and asking questions to Tagovailoa , who threw three fourth-quarter interceptions, they thought it was best for him to get checked out by team doctors.
“The review established that symptoms of a concussion were neither exhibited nor reported until the following day at which time the team medical personnel appropriately evaluated and placed Mr. Tagovailoa in the concussion protocol,” the statement read.
Tagovailoa, who remains in concussion protocol, has been ruled out for Sunday’s road game against the New England Patriots. Teddy Bridgewater will start for him. Though McDaniel on Friday said Tagovailoa is feeling better, it is unclear when Tagovailoa will return to the field. Miami can clinch a playoff berth with a victory over New England and a New York Jets loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
It’s the second joint investigation this season into the handling of a suspected head injury for Tagovailoa. He sustained his first diagnosed concussion and was carted off the field on a stretcher in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 29, four days after hitting his head and remaining in a game against the Buffalo Bills, sparking a review into his injury.
The league and players union announced that the league’s step-by-step protocol was followed but the protocol was altered, adding a new “no-go” symptom, ataxia, which would have kept Tagovailoa out of the Bills game and likely sidelined him for the Bengals game. Ataxia is an abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue.
Roster moves
With the availability of multiple key players in question, the Dolphins on Saturday announced a slew of roster moves.
Miami signed offensive tackle Kendall Lamm from the practice squad to the 53-man roster and, in a corresponding move, placed defensive tackle Justin Zimmer on injured reserve, sidelining him for at least four games. The Dolphins also elevated linebacker Brennan Scarlett and defensive tackle Josiah Bronson from the practice squad.
The team’s top three options at left tackle — Terron Armstead, Greg Little and Eric Fisher — are all dealing with injuries. Armstead is questionable to play because of lingering injuries to his toe, pec, knee and hip; while Little is questionable because of a foot injury. Fisher likely won’t play because of a calf injury.
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb is also questionable because of an ankle and hand injury.
Lamm, an eight-year veteran with experience at both tackle spots, signed with the team in late November. He has been elevated twice this season but has yet to appear in a game.
It’s the first elevation this season for both Scarlett and Bronson. Scarlett, who appeared in 13 games with the Dolphins last season, was released with an injury settlement during training camp but joined the team’s practice squad in November. Bronson signed with the team in September. He appeared in seven games last season for the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, recording 12 tackles (eight solo), one quarterback hit and one tackle for loss.
Zimmer, who signed with the team in November, appeared in five games and recorded one tackle.
This story was originally published December 31, 2022 at 2:45 PM.
