Dolphins QBs Tua Tagovailoa, Teddy Bridgewater both clear concussion protocol

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has taken another big step toward returning to the football field.

Tagovailoa was cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol Saturday morning, a league source told the Miami Herald, as was backup Teddy Bridgewater.

Bridgewater on Friday was listed as questionable for the team’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday because of the protocol but his game status was removed Saturday. He will back up rookie Skylar Thompson, who will be making his first NFL start.

The Dolphins have already ruled out Tagovailoa but he is now on track to make his return for the team’s Week 7 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Sunday Night Football.”

Tagovailoa hasn’t played since sustaining a concussion and being carted off the field on a stretcher in Cincinnati on Sept. 29. However, Tagovailoa progressed through the protocol and was permitted to return to practice this week.

Bridgewater was placed in concussion protocol after an independent certified athletic trainer (ATC) Booth Spotter said he stumbled after a hit in the team’s loss to the New York Jets and showed signs of ataxia, the league’s new no-go symptom that bars a player suspected of a head injury from returning to the game. He returned to practice Thursday.