EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Teddy Bridgewater’s first start off with the Miami Dolphins began with a large strike on his initially snap.
The veteran quarterback’s shaky response on the area was plenty of to get him pulled for the day due to the fact of newly revised concussion protocols.
Bridgewater, setting up in put of the injured Tua Tagovailoa, still left the Dolphins’ 40-17 reduction to the New York Jets on Sunday just after he was popped in the upper body by cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner on a blitz as he was about to throw.
Bridgewater was referred to as for intentional grounding in the conclude zone on the play, ensuing in a basic safety on Miami’s initial offensive engage in. And then Bridgewater was examined for an elbow damage and also evaluated for a concussion.
Coach Mike McDaniel reported immediately after the game Bridgewater doesn’t have any concussion symptoms and passed exams, but a spotter saw Bridgewater stumble following the participate in. So he was taken off — a outcome of the revised protocols set in area as a result of Tagovailoa’s injuries.
“He’ll be now beneath the new restrictions in the concussion protocol relocating forward,” McDaniel reported.
Bridgewater started out just after Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Miami’s past sport Sept. 29 at Cincinnati. Tagovailoa took a tricky sack in the initial 50 percent and exhibited the fencing response just after the strike. He was stretchered off the industry and taken to a medical center. He continues to be in the concussion protocol.
That came 4 times after Tagovailoa was strike tricky from Buffalo, leading to him to slam to the ground. He appeared disoriented afterward and stumbled as he attempted to get to his toes.
Tagovailoa was straight away taken to the locker area, went as a result of the NFL’s concussion protocol — and cleared of any head injury. He commenced the 3rd quarter, drawing prevalent criticism as to why he was permitted to return.
On Saturday, the NFL and NFL Players Affiliation agreed to make changes to the league’s concussion protocol next a joint investigation into the procedures after Tagovailoa’s again injury. The league and players’ union claimed in a joint assertion that although the Dolphins adopted protocol right after the personal injury, the result of the Tagovailoa scenario “was not what was supposed when the Protocol was drafted.”
As a result, language addressing abnormality of balance/steadiness was added to the league’s protocol listing of signs and symptoms that would preserve a participant from returning to the activity. That used to Bridgewater on Sunday.
“Honestly, I’m content that there is some coverage that the healthcare specialists deem is secure for the gamers collectively,” McDaniel said. “That’s a constructive matter. As significantly as the perseverance that issues were being followed appropriately, that didn’t shock me. That’s what I have been stating.”
Bridgewater was changed by rookie Skylar Thompson, who was 19 of 33 for 166 yards and an interception in his NFL debut.
“To see Tua go down the way he did and see Teddy go down the way he did, it is in no way some thing you would desire on any one,” the seventh-rounder from Kansas State mentioned. “You hate to see it. It hurts.”
McDaniel mentioned he thought Bridgewater would be equipped to fly dwelling with the group.
“You hardly ever want to see a single of your teammates go down, primarily to see Teddy on the initial enjoy,” Thompson claimed. “It was a minimal bit to take in.”
Thompson led a handful of efficient scoring drives for the Dolphins in aid of Bridgewater. With Miami trailing 19-7, limited conclude Durham Smythe took a immediate snap and shoved his way across the goal line for a 1-yard landing with 4 seconds still left in the second quarter.
Jason Sanders’ 46-lawn subject aim on the opening push of the next half minimize the Dolphins’ deficit to two at 19-17.
Miami experienced a chance to acquire its first guide, but Sanders was wide correct on a 54-yard attempt early in the fourth quarter. And the Jets scored 21 straight factors to change a nail-biter into a blowout.
“It’s tough, but the whole group has self-confidence in Skylar,” McDaniel stated of the effect of losing Bridgewater. “I assume our crew, in normal, does not seem at it like there’s a a person-male savior at any spot. It’s a new established of situation so early.
“I did not feel the relaxation of the team’s response to shedding Teddy had everything to do with losing the video game.”
But now the Dolphins’ focus will flip to who starts next Sunday when Miami hosts Minnesota. If neither Tagovailoa nor Bridgewater is cleared, it could be Thompson making his initially job commence even though trying to support stop a two-activity skid after the Dolphins opened the season 3-.
“You’ve bought to start off somewhere,” Thompson mentioned. “Didn’t engage in perfectly ample currently and of course that commences with me.”
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