Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol, status in doubt for Week 17 vs. Patriots

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back in the NFL's concussion protocol one day after losing to the Green Bay Packers, head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Monday. His status for a pivotal AFC East matchup with the New England Patriots in Week 17 is now officially in doubt.

McDaniel added that he didn't know when Tagovailoa suffered a concussion and that no one flagged any symptoms during the game, which was why Tagovailoa never left the game against the Packers.

"It was something he met with doctors today and discussed some symptoms," McDaniel told reporters Monday.

This development is significant for two reasons. For one, the Dolphins remain very much in the AFC playoff hunt despite losing to the Packers but need to win at least one of their next two games to have a shot at the postseason. Miami lost three games early in the season when Tagovailoa missed time with another concussion.

That takes us to our next point revolving around Tagovailoa's physical health. Tagovailoa suffered what looked like a concussion in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills, but returned in the second half from what the time described as a back injury. Tagovailoa suffered another head injury a few days later against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night when was taken off the field in an ambulance.

Those two instances ignited weeks worth of questions and investigations into the team's handling of concussions before Tagovailoa eventually returned in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.