Nearly two weeks after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a scary head injury during a primetime game against the Cincinnati Bengals, it looks like the quarterback is taking some big steps toward returning to the field.
According to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelisseo of the NFL Network, Tagovailoa returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since his scary injury.
From @GMFB: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will return to practice today, per me and @TomPelissero. What it means… 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/A9VxgUV8NH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 12, 2022
“Tua [Tagovailoa] is expected to return to the practice field for the first time since suffering that highly, highly publicized concussion,” Rapoport said on Wednesday. “He’s going to practice on a limited basis, is expected to throw as he progresses through the NFL’s concussion protocol. This is good news.”
Though Tagovailoa did return to practice, the Dolphins don’t expect him to play in Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“Now, the other part of this is Tagovailoa is still not expected to play this Sunday, is described ‘highly unlikely to play this Sunday,’ though he may be cleared,” Rapoport said. “The reason why is he’s been in meetings, but not fully in meetings. He’s done some light conditioning but hasn’t really worked back into football shape – has not been doing very much in concussion protocol. Just not quite ready to return to the field.”
It’s certainly a surprising update after the scary injury, and the NFL world had plenty to say about it on Wednesday.
So the guy who had the highly publicized concussion is allowed to get back on the field, but Teddy who doesn’t have a concussion can’t throw until tomorrow because of NFL protocol? Make it make sense NFL. https://t.co/MDVBwQHV5A
— Alex Greenberg (@AlexG1348) October 12, 2022
Back must be feeling better https://t.co/wLXq1FWDhg
— Bob Larkin (@Bobby_Beatzzz) October 12, 2022
All encouraging news surrounding the Dolphins. Haven't said that in weeks. lol https://t.co/R5fPNok27c
— GC 🍁 (@AIMforGC) October 12, 2022
ThE tWiTtEr DoCtOrS tOlD mE hIs SeAsOn, CaReEr' aNd LiFe WaS oVeR https://t.co/Wrw6Vveidq
— Renshaw (@ThatRenshawGuy) October 12, 2022
https://twitter.com/YoungGoofy17/status/1580188320721960962?s=20&t=kyJD4x-pgfx8KB9HYME9hg
Very good news about Tua! Looks like he may return in Week 7 if he continues to progress well 🙏🏾 https://t.co/dDHM5QbQGO
— Troy King (@TKingMode) October 12, 2022
Tagovailoa appears to be headed for a return to play shortly, against the guidance of a prominent neuropathologist.
Meanwhile, Dolphins backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater did not practice on Wednesday as he goes through concussion protocol himself.
