Teddy Bridgewater is back in action.
Many NFL fans believe that’s a bad idea.
After spending this week in the NFL’s concussion protocol listed as questionable, the Miami Dolphins quarterback cleared the protocol and suited up Sunday as the backup to starting QB Skylar Thompson.
When Thompson headed to the locker room with a thumb injury early in the second quarter, Bridgewater took the field against the Minnesota Vikings.
Teddy Bridgewater is in at quarterback for the Dolphins
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/11aOxTYq5D
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 16, 2022
The Dolphins would have preferred to have Bridgewater stay on the sideline Sunday; otherwise he would have started. But Miami had no other choice at quarterback. The veteran led a scoring drive that ended in a field goal on his first possession.
NFL fans watching the development questioned Bridgewater’s return to action so soon. The chorus of questions grew when Bridgewater took a hit to the helmet shortly after entering the game.
“Teddy Bridgewater not starting but being available to come into the game is incredibly illogical,” noted one fan.
“And here comes Teddy Bridgewater! Pray for the Dolphins QBs. Medical and coaching staff trying to get guys killed out here,” tweeted another user.
I've never understood why a player would be active as an emergency backup.
If Teddy Bridgewater is healthy enough to play most of the game for an injured Skylar Thompson, isn't he presumably healthy enough to start the game?
Either you're healthy enough to play, or you're not.
— Mike Maher (@mikeMaher) October 16, 2022
Teddy Bridgewater not starting but being available to come into the game is incredibly illogical. #Dolphins
— YardsAfterContract (@after_yards) October 16, 2022
And here comes Teddy Bridgewater! Pray for the dolphins QBs. Medical and coaching staff trying to get guys killed out here smh
— Goalpost Gambling Podcast (@GoalpstGambling) October 16, 2022
@ChrisNowinski1 Dolphins Teddy Bridgewater was hit in the head on a run a few minutes ago. The TV coverage immediately switched to showing defensive players standing around doing nothing. Do you suppose the TV networks been told to stop showing QBs after hits?
— pfreet (@pfreet) October 16, 2022
Teddy Bridgewater should probably just slide today instead of juking.
— Roy Bellamy (@roybelly) October 16, 2022
Teddy is the backup today. I think they’ll have to pick a season ticket holder to play QB if Teddy gets hurt
— jm (@kjem22) October 16, 2022
Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to practice this week and cleared concussion protocol Saturday, but is not active.
