McDaniel: Tua not in concussion protocol, status uncertain for TNF

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was noncommittal about whether quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will play on Thursday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.

"He's feeling sore. ... We are acquiring information right now as far as the exact imaging," McDaniel told reporters Monday.

McDaniel added that it's Tagovailoa's back and ankle that are causing him problems.

Tagovailoa left Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills late in the second quarter after taking a hit from Bills linebacker Matt Milano.

The Dolphins quarterback stumbled after getting up, sparking fear that he suffered a head injury. However, McDaniel said Tagovailoa isn't in concussion protocol, as his injured back caused him to fall.

"There are certain things I'm sensitive to. I have been called emotional from time to time, and one of those things is player health. ... Tua was pretty annoyed with me in the game because he knew what hurt and didn't understand why people kept talking to him about (a potential head injury)," McDaniel said.

McDaniel added that if it were a head issue, the third-year quarterback wouldn't have re-entered the game.

Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater entered the game for only three plays before Tagovailoa returned.

The Dolphins are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2018. Tagovailoa is second in the NFL in passing yards, trailing only Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

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