(Update: 1/11, 12:06 p.m.): Tagovailoa will not play vs. the Bills:
Previous coverage:
The Buffalo Bills are facing the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the NFL postseason.
When the two teams meet at Highmark Stadium, it’s unclear who will be under center for the visitors.
Tua Tagovailoa’s stint recovering from concussion issues continues. Miami’s starting QB has not played since facing the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day.
In Week 18, the Dolphins (9-8) defeated the New York Jets, 11-6, to crack the postseason. Buffalo defeating the New England Patriots, 35-23, also helped.
Backup Skylar Thompson started against the Jets and was 20-for-31 passing for 152 yards. He did not have a touchdown or interception but Thompson did record his first-career win.
Despite that, Tagovailoa would be Miami’s preferred choice. As of early this week, it looks like he still has a few steps to pass in the NFL concussion protocol.
According to the Miami Herald, Tagovailoa still has at least two more hurdles to clear before before cleared to play in Buffalo. He reportedly is still on step three of five total which must be passed:
If Tua is cleared for step 4 (non-contact practice stuff, drills, throwing), doctors must be certain he shows no symptoms to be moved to step 5 &then he must be fine after 5 to exit protocol. Dolphins have declined to say if they'll definitely play Tua this season if he's cleared https://t.co/XmElXZ67DH
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 9, 2023
With Tagovailoa’s past issues with head injuries in mind, it remains very unclear whether or not he will play against the Bills. Earlier this year, Tagovailoa sustained a head injury against Buffalo, but returned.
His issues with concussions have continued since and some have been outspoken about Tagovailoa not playing again in 2022 due to the seriousness surrounding concussions and football.
On Wednesday, the Bills (13-3) and Dolphins will released their first full injury reports ahead of their wild-card matchup. Bills Wire will provide that update when the information is made available.
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