[ad_1]
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, as expected, was officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots due to his concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
The third-year quarterback remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and likely in some of the early stages of the five-step return-to-play process as he has not practiced all week.
McDaniel labeled Tagovailoa as “better than the day before” on Friday as the team is taking the approach of not having him worry about anything beyond the current day. Tagovailoa has been at team facilities this week, mostly with medical staff but also attending team meetings while not participating in positional meetings with the other quarterbacks.
Teddy Bridgewater is in line to start for the Dolphins in Foxborough on Sunday with rookie Skylar Thompson his backup quarterback.
McDaniel said several other Dolphins are expected to be game-time decisions ahead of the critical matchup against the Patriots with significant playoff implications for both AFC East rivals.
Cornerback Xavien Howard, although McDaniel said was expected to practice Friday, was not seen during a brief media viewing portion of drills after popping up on the Thursday injury report with a knee ailment.
Miami has had left tackle Terron Armstead miss Wednesday and Thursday drills and was not spotted Friday as he nurses toe, pectoral, knee and hip injuries. Armstead is now dealing with an injury to a fourth body part, the hip, after already entering the past week with the other three ailments.
“A lot of trickle-down effect. He’s a warrior,” McDaniel said. “He’s going to push it until game time and see if he can give it a go.”
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (hand/ankle) and fullback Alec Ingold (thumb) both returned to practice Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday drills. Both wore a cast on their right hand.
Wide receiver River Cracraft and tackle Eric Fisher — both with calf injuries — had missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Fisher was still not seen Friday, but Cracraft returned to drills for the first time since originally hurting his calf on Dec. 8, the Thursday before the Dolphins’ loss to the Chargers.
Although right tackle Brandon Shell appeared on the Thursday injury report for a shoulder ailment, McDaniel feels confident he’ll be able to play Sunday. Shell was practicing Friday.
This story will be updated.
()
[ad_2]
Source link