Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa Out of Concussion Protocol and Playing 2 Weeks After Second Head Injury

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has reportedly been cleared from concussion protocol and is expected to return to the field for the Dolphins' week 7 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, just over 2 weeks after he suffered from his second concussion, according to a source, per ESPN.

The outlet reported the athlete was dismissed from the protocol on Saturday but he did not play in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

On Wednesday, the 24-year-old Tagovailoa returned to practice with the team for the first time since he experienced his second head injury. Footage posted to social media later showed Tagovailoa throwing a football.

Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Tua Tagovailoa

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Head coach Mike McDaniel said Tagovailoa was examined by several independent neurologists and was cleared to start limited activities, ESPN reported.

"In these situations, you are relying on all medical advice and what people can do, and what we've been told is he can go out and throw and do some individual work this week," McDaniel said at the time, per the outlet. "So that's exciting for everybody just because, you know, really we just miss his personality. He's a guy that we rely on [for] that, not to mention all of his play and all that stuff."

"Now, when talking about this week and playing, I don't see a scenario — I don't see him being active," he added. "I do not plan to have him play at all."

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Tagovailoa experienced a concussion on Sept. 25 after he was slammed into the ground while playing against the Buffalo Bills. Then, just days later on Sept. 29, he was once again slammed into the ground by an opposing player while facing the Cincinnati Bengals.

While lying on the field, Tagovailoa's raised his hands and arms above him and appeared to be unable to control their movement, and medical assistance was called. Tagovailoa remained motionless on the field for around 10 minutes before being carried out in a stretcher.

This week, Tagovailoa expanded his rehabilitation activities by adding cardiovascular exercises and weight training, per NFL Network.

Repeated concussions over time have been found to lead to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disorder with a number of symptoms, such as memory loss, depression, and mood disorders.

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In a joint statement released last Saturday, the NFL and NFL Players Association agreed to new concussion protocols following Tagovailoa's second concussion.

The new rules mean that players will not be able to play if they are experiencing ataxia, or a lack of coordination caused by poor muscle control.

Ataxia was present in Tagovailoa's case during the Miami Dolphins' match-up against the Buffalo Bills late last month, the league's chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said during a press conference.