National Football League

Tua Tagovailoa out, Teddy Bridgewater to start for Dolphins vs. Patriots

Updated Dec. 28, 2022 3:39 p.m. ET

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The Miami Dolphins will be without their starting quarterback when they take on the New England Patriots on Sunday with their playoff hopes in the balance.

Tua Tagovailoa self-reported a concussion in the Dolphins' Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers and Teddy Bridgewater will start in his place, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Wednesday. 

"This is a private time for him to focus on his health and that's all I really want to get into," McDaniel said. 

Tagovailoa, who was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol on Monday, played the entirety of Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Packers. After helping Miami get out to a 20-13 lead at halftime, Tagovailoa struggled in the second half of the Christmas Day game, throwing an interception on the Dolphins' final three drives. He finished the game completing 16 of 25 passes for 310 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. 

This is the second time Tagovailoa has been placed in concussion protocol this season. In the Dolphins' Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Tagovailoa suffered a concussion and was stretchered off the field after showing a fencing response, which caused him to be taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.

Tagovailoa's Week 4 concussion came just four days after he appeared to suffer a head injury in the Dolphins' win over the Buffalo Bills. However, it was ruled a back injury at the time. The neurotrauma consultant who took part in Tagovailoa's concussion check during that game was fired two days after the Week 4 incident, which caused the NFL and NFLPA to revise their concussion policy. 

Tagovailoa missed two games due to that concussion. 

Despite some second-half struggles, Tagovailoa has statistically been one of the league's best quarterbacks this season. He's seventh in passing touchdowns (25), 10th in passing yards (3,548) and first in passer rating (105.5). 

As for who the Dolphins will start on Sunday, Bridgewater has played in four games and started twice this season in Tagovailoa's absence. He's completed 37 of 60 passes for 522 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. He has an 86.5 passer rating.

Miami can clinch a playoff spot with a win over New England on Sunday. But with a loss, it would cede possession of the final playoff spot in the AFC to New England entering Week 18. 

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National Football League

Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa

Teddy Bridgewater