Tua, Teddy Both Doubtful vs Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are going to Miami this weekend for a couple days of high temperatures and one afternoon of football business vs a Dolphins team that’s hurting at the QB position. Starter, Tua Tagovailoa, is dealing with head or back injuries (depending on who you ask). Injuries that have single-handedly flipped the league’s concussion protocol on its pun-intended head over the last few weeks.

There were some who thought Tua would make his return this weekend. But Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport (both of NFL Network) reported on Wednesday morning that Tagovailoa is unlikely to play vs the Vikings.

Tua is expected, however, to take the practice field today, and could realistically be cleared by Sunday. The Dolphins supposed plan is to give their young QB another week to get right, before activating him.

#Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will return to the field and throw today as part of his progression through concussion protocol, sources say. Highly unlikely to play Sunday vs. the #Vikings, but he's headed in the right direction.

More from me and @RapSheet: https://t.co/YJg6ffxNYE pic.twitter.com/jQsrnM8Shz

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 12, 2022

Teddy Questionable too

This update on Tua should have meant that the Vikings can expect Teddy Bridgewater as Miami’s starter. But not so fast. His availability is in question too. Bridgewater got the start for Miami last week, but didn’t make it out of the 1st quarter after suffering his own head injury.

We were told that Bridgewater would have been allowed to return to that game, under previous concussion protocols. Which is why we all assumed he’d be cleared to play, vs the Vikings, by the end of the week. But, the earliest he’s allowed to take the practice field, under current rules, is Thursday.

In the case that neither Teddy nor Tua can go on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins would turn to Skylar Thompson, a 2022 7th-round draft pick. Thompson, according to head coach Mike McDaniel, is the expected starter (at this point). When forced into action last week, Thompson went 19/33 for 166 yards and 1 INT (40-17 loss vs Jets).

From @GMFB: #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will return to practice today, per me and @TomPelissero. What it means… ???????????? pic.twitter.com/A9VxgUV8NH

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 12, 2022

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel says he plans to start Skylar Thompson at QB Sunday vs. Vikings.

If Teddy Bridgewater is cleared from protocol this weekend, he would likely backup Skylar per McDaniel who noted Teddy will be w/ trainers today and potentially limited practice tomorrow.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 12, 2022

3rd-String Guy?

This is now a really weird situation for the Minnesota Vikings, from a preparation standpoint. It sounds like Tua Tagovailoa could very well be cleared to play, even if the Dolphins are leaning toward resting him one more week.

If cleared, would they really give the ball to Thompson or Bridgewater? Because, should they change their minds, a healthy Tua could present major problems if the Vikings defense is ill-prepared.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan