NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills said Tuesday that Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa did not show symptoms of a concussion during Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers.

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The league representative clarified that the general behavior of the 24-year-old athlete that day did not warrant further investigation. However, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel revealed the next day that the center had undergone concussion protocol, saying the main concerned had experienced symptoms following the 26-20 loss of his team. During it, Tagovailoa got into trouble, notably committing three interceptions in the second half.

“Our managers and associate neurologists are monitoring whether any contact to the neck or head is followed by behavior typical of this injury. [...] If a player, a teammate, a referee, an instructor or anyone else identifies manifestations that may suggest a concussion, the protocol is initiated. During Sunday's game, none of the inciting factors were visible, although there was head contact. The player did not complain of any problem, even if he discussed with the medical staff during the meeting. Nothing appears to have violated current protocol,” Sills told the NFL Network.

Away on Sunday?

However, the fact remains that Tagovailoa's condition worries McDaniel enough to possibly prompt him to keep him out. Thus, Teddy Bridgewater could act as a starting quarterback on Sunday against the New England Patriots. The head coach confirmed to the media on Wednesday that his No. 1 pivot had indeed suffered a concussion on Sunday.

Tagovailoa has been rocked a few times this season. He was hospitalized with such an injury sustained in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4 of the regular season. The whole thing followed another hard contact received during the previous game against the Buffalo Bills; he had returned to the game after a short absence in that game, which raised several questions about the management of protocol by the Dolphins, the league and the Players Association.

“I care deeply about every player. I take it seriously, I want him to be healthy and at peace about it. It is the most important. We will manage the circumstances afterwards,” McDaniel said earlier this week, as reported by NFL.com.