Report: Tua clears concussion protocol, set to return in Week 7
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa cleared concussion protocol Saturday and is expected to return for the team's Week 7 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Tagovailoa received four outside opinions while team doctors also unanimously cleared him from the protocol, Schefter adds. All parties reportedly agreed that the quarterback's scans didn't display any long-term damage to his brain.
The signal-caller has been sidelined since being stretchered off the field in Week 4 after hitting his head on the turf on a sack. The incident came just days after Tagovailoa briefly exited Miami's Week 3 game when he appeared disorientated following a big hit late in the second quarter. He missed only three plays and finished the contest.
Tagovailoa's clearance in the Week 3 game prompted changes to the concussion protocol after the NFL and NFLPA launched an investigation. Any player exhibiting loss of balance or instability will now not be cleared to return to play.
Meanwhile, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was also cleared from the concussion protocol but will back up Skylar Thompson in the team's Week 6 game against the Minnesota Vikings, per Schefter.
The Dolphins are amid a two-game slide after starting the 2022 season with three straight wins.