Dolphins’ Teddy Bridgewater out, in protocol after exhausting hit

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is within the concussion protocol and has been dominated out in opposition to the New York Jets after leaving the sport within the first quarter.

Bridgewater was put within the protocol after the sales space ATC spotter dominated him a “no-go” after he took a success on Dolphins’ opening offensive drive, in compliance with the NFL’s amended concussion protocol. Bridgewater handed his concussion analysis, in keeping with a supply, however the sales space ATC spotter believed he noticed Bridgewater stumble and triggered the brand new “ataxia” addition to the “no-go” signs within the protocol.

The Dolphins stated that Bridgewater additionally had an elbow damage.

Bridgewater was hit whereas trying a move on the Dolphins’ first offensive play of the sport, when Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner received to him unblocked. The move fell incomplete however was dominated intentional grounding ultimately zone, leading to a security. Bridgewater was rapidly taken to the medical tent earlier than being escorted to the locker room by an unaffiliated neurotrauma guide for a concussion analysis.

He was dominated out after roughly 40 minutes within the locker room. Rookie seventh-round choose Skylar Thompson is the one quarterback remaining on the Dolphins’ lively roster.

Bridgewater was making his first begin of the season rather than Tua Tagovailoa, who’s within the concussion protocol after sustaining a concussion throughout Miami’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4. The Dolphins haven’t publicly established a timetable for Tagovailoa’s return however he didn’t journey to New York with the staff and was not positioned on injured reserve.

Extensive receiver Cedrick Wilson is the Dolphins’ emergency quarterback.

The NFL just lately amended its concussion protocol after a virtually two-week lengthy joint investigation with the NFL Gamers Affiliation into the appliance of the protocol following an incident involving Tagovailoa. Throughout the Dolphins’ sport in opposition to the Buffalo Payments on Sept. 25, Tagovailoa hit his head on the bottom and stumbled whereas making an attempt to return to the huddle. The stumble was thought of a show of gross motor instability, which is without doubt one of the protocol’s “no-go” signs that requires a participant be faraway from a sport with out the likelihood to return.

Tagovailoa was instantly taken to the locker room for a concussion analysis, however knowledgeable each the staff’s doctor and the NFL and NFLPA collectively employed unaffiliated neurotrauma guide {that a} again and ankle damage triggered him to stumble; the joint investigation discovered that Tagovailoa had beforehand reported each accidents earlier than hitting his head on the bottom.

As soon as it was decided that his noticed instability was not neurologically triggered, Tagovailoa handed his analysis and was allowed to return to the sport. Nevertheless, neither the staff doctor nor the UNC examined his again throughout the analysis, “however as a substitute relied on the sooner examination performed by different members of the medical workers.” The NFLPA exercised its proper to terminate the UNC who carried out Tagovailoa’s preliminary analysis after the union discovered he made “a number of errors” throughout the course of, past following the step-by-step means of the protocol, a number of sources informed ESPN.

Each events agreed Saturday to amend the protocol, including “ataxia” to the listing of “no-go” signs. The modifications have been carried out instantly earlier than Sunday’s video games started.

“‘Ataxia’ is outlined as abnormality of steadiness/stability, motor coordination or dysfunctional speech brought on by a neurological concern,” the NFL and NFLPA stated in a joint assertion. “In different phrases, if a participant is recognized with ‘ataxia’ by any membership or impartial doctor concerned within the utility of the concussion protocol, he can be prohibited from returning to the sport, and can obtain the follow-up care required by the protocol.”