Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa receives promising concussion update

There's finally some good news regarding the health of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t Nick Shook) and Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN reported Wednesday that Tagovailoa has cleared the league's concussion protocol. Tagovailoa last entered the protocol following a loss to the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day and hadn't yet been able to return to football-related activities. 

The 24-year-old missed Miami's final two regular-season contests and also the playoff loss at the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 15. It's now assumed Tagovailoa wouldn't have played again before Super Bowl LVII, but it's uncertain if he would have been able to face a live defense in a meaningful game on Feb. 12. 

Galu Tagovailoa, Tua's father, confirmed last week that his son was still "going through" the protocol. Galu also insisted at that time the 2020 first-round draft pick was coming back for the 2023 NFL season and that the Dolphins "love" the signal-caller. 

Louis-Jacques added in his report that Tagovailoa's lengthy stay in the protocol "was deliberate and was not the result of any debilitating symptoms or setbacks." 

Tagovailoa suffered at least two known concussions this season and appeared in just 13 of 18 games including the playoffs. 

Some have suggested since October the third-year pro should consider retiring due to concerns related to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, while others said earlier this winter the Dolphins can't offer Tagovailoa a long-term contract this offseason due to his injury history.

Miami has until May to exercise or decline the fifth-year option attached to Tagovailoa's rookie deal. He received public votes of confidence from Dolphins first-year head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier last month. 

The Dolphins were linked by some with Tom Brady before ESPN's Adam Schefter reported this past weekend the club wouldn't pursue TB12 as it did a year ago. That update along with Brady's "for good" retirement and Wednesday's development all indicate Miami expects Tagovailoa will be in the lineup for Week 1 this September.