Mike McDaniel Gives Update On Tua Tagovailoa's Status After Concussion

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said he doesn't "see how" quarterback Tua Tagovailoa "would play in the next game" after suffering a concussion during the team's Thursday Night Football blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills.

“I don't see how he would play in the next game, but who am I to know or judge? It’s a fair assessment to be prepared to have 3 QBs on our roster for the next game, we'll need to add one for the next game," McDaniel told reporters on Friday (September 13) via NFL Network 's Cameron Wolfe .

McDaniel added that Tagovailoa and doctors will ultimately decide if he's ready to return. The coach also revealed what he said to his quarterback after the injury.

"“He’s the starting QB of his family. Go in the locker room, take a deep breath and I’ll see you soon,” McDaniel said he told Tagovailoa via Wolfe. “All I'm telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad this weekend.”

McDaniel said the team would know more information on Friday (September 13) after Tagovailoa underwent a thorough evaluation, at which point they would have conversations and address the issue appropriately, during his postgame press conference.

Tagovailoa was officially ruled out in the third quarter due to a concussion. Backup Skylar Thompson took over at quarterback in Tagovailoa's absence.

Tagovailoa finished Thursday's game with 145 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, on 17 of 25 passing. The former Alabama standout has a documented history with head injuries, having been placed in the NFL's concussion protocol twice and suffered several concerning blows to the head during the 2022 NFL season which, despite being limited to just 13 games, was the most productive of his first three seasons, prior to a career-best 2023 campaign.

Tagovailoa cited medical opinions that Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) "wasn't going to be a problem" for him as he's not "constantly" hitting his head like players at other positions prior to the 2023 season after admitting he contemplated retirement. The Dolphins' handling of Tagovailoa's concussion status was reviewed by the NFL and NFL Players Association during the 2022 season, which led to numerous modifications to protocols.

Tagovailoa recently agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million extension. The Dolphins will face the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Week 3.