Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa clears concussion protocol and will start Sunday

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol and will start Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, the team announced Friday.

Tagovailoa has not played since Week 2 after he suffered a concussion in a Thursday night game against the Buffalo Bills. Sunday’s game against the Cardinals will mark 45 days since Tagovailoa sustained the concussion, at least the third of his professional career.

"After going through the process and having a practice where we were able to initiate some contact with him, and then he met with the independent doctor, and was cleared protocol," coach Mike McDaniel said.

The quarterback also had two concussions during the 2022 season, and was suspected of having a third that year — a controversy that led the NFL to overhaul its protocol for sidelining players who are suspected of having a brain injury. Tagovailoa’s first recorded concussion of the 2022 season also happened in a Thursday night game and invoked a fencing response from him on the field.

Tagovailoa was asked Monday in a news conference what he would say to people who are concerned about him returning to play football.

“I appreciate your concern, I really do,” he said. “I love this game, and I love it to the death of me. That’s it.”

Tagovailoa also said Monday he would not wear a guardian cap over his helmet, saying it was a “personal choice.” The cap is a soft, protective padding worn over the helmet that the NFL claims can reduce the impact of a hit by up to 10%, and possibly help reduce concussions.

Tagovailoa’s helmet, the VICIS ZERO2 MATRIX ID, is the safest-rated helmet for quarterbacks, according to research conducted by the NFL and NFLPA. He was wearing the helmet when he was injured against the Bills.

In his two appearances this season, Tagovailoa completed 40 of 62 passes for 483 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.

After starting 1-1 with Tagovailoa, the Dolphins have a 1-3 record without him. The team is currently second in the AFC East.

In July, Miami signed Tagovailoa, the fifth pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, to a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with $167.1 million guaranteed.