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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is officially back in the starting lineup.
Head coach Mike McDaniel announced on Friday that Tagovailoa has been cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol and will start against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Cameron Wolfe @CameronWolfe
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has cleared concussion protocol and will start Sunday vs. Cardinals.
Tua will be officially activated off injured reserve before Sunday’s game, which is 45 days since his WK2 concussion. pic.twitter.com/Mtn6HuQfjW
Ian Rapoport @RapSheet
More background on Tua Tagovailoa clearing the five-step return to participation concussion protocol:
— Following Thursday’s practice, Tagovailoa was examined by the independent neurological consultant and cleared.
— He received care from top medical experts across the country,…
McDaniel previously announced on Monday that Tagovailoa was designated to return from injured reserve, but he still had to clear concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa had suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills when he collided with safety Damar Hamlin. It was the third diagnosed concussion of the 26-year-old’s career, the other two of which occurred during the 2022 season.
Tagovailoa told reporters that he had been symptom-free since the day after his concussion and that he wouldn’t wear a protective guardian cap on his helmet when he returned to the field because of his personal choice.
The Dolphins suffered mightily in Tagovailoa’s absence, losing three out of four games without him. The team averaged 11.7 points through six games, the lowest in the NFL and a massive drop from its average of 29.2 points during the 2023 season.
Before going down, Tagovailoa had thrown for 483 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 64.5 percent of his passes. The Dolphins (2-4) are hoping he will be back to his usual self to help turn their season around.
