MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. ( Associated Press) – Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and will sit out the 2023 Pro Bowl, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been officially announced.
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his second concussion of the 2022 season just over a month ago, following a December 25 loss to Green Bay. He missed Miami’s last three games, including a post-season loss to Buffalo.
Tagovailoa was selected to the Pro Bowl as the first alternate and would have replaced Joe Burrows or Patrick Mahomes, either of whom will play in Super Bowl LVII after the Bengals and Chiefs meet in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday.
The Pro Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 5, one week before the Super Bowl.
The Dolphins have reiterated that they are committed to starting Tagovailoa in the 2023 season.
Miami coach Mike McDaniel said after the season, “It’s something that has pushed the doctors. They’re the experts on the field and when they tell us he’s ready to play as we expect, when they Tells us he’s ready.” In the spring or whenever there is play, we’ll move in that direction.”
Miami general manager Chris Grier stated that after consultations with doctors through the players’ union, they do not believe Tagovailoa is more vulnerable to trauma than other players.
Tagovailoa suffered a concussion on September 29 against Cincinnati after being hit hard, leaving him unconscious. He went off on a stretcher and was back in 7 weeks.
He took another hit four days before Cincinnati’s victory over Buffalo. He showed signs of injury but continued to play and the team immediately indicated that it was a back injury.
The NFL later changed the protocol to require players with symptoms of concussion – including loss of balance and stability – to sit out the remainder of the game.
Tagovailoa threw for a career-high 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns in his junior season. He led the NFL in passing percentage.
