Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters on Friday morning that he will not set a timeline for Tua Tagovailoa's recovery from the concussion suffered in Thursday night's loss to the Buffalo Bills.

McDaniel indicated he has "zero idea" what the timeline might be and does not want to put that pressure on Tagovailoa.

"First and foremost, I’m not assessing the injury through the lens of, ‘Alright, so what does this mean for him playing?’" McDaniel said. "Really, for me, I know the facts are that it’s important for him to get healthy day by day, and in that, the best thing I can do is not try to assess what this even means from a football standpoint."

With the Dolphins trailing 31-10 in the third quarter on Thursday night, Tagovailoa took off on a fourth-down run, scrambling six yards before a head-first collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa collapsed to the turf, and Miami’s medical professionals attended to the QB on the field before he walked off under his own power. He was quickly ruled out due to a concussion.

What Protocol Must Tagovailoa Follow to Return?

McDaniel explained that Tagovailoa will undergo thorough tests and evaluations before deciding on the next steps. The NFL's return-to-play protocol is a five-step process that culminates when the team physician and an independent neurological consultant agree that the player can return to play safely.

The first step of the protocol is rest and recovery until the player's signs, symptoms, and neurological examination return to baseline. This is followed by light aerobic exercise, then continued aerobic exercise and the introduction of strength training.

In the fourth step of the protocol, the player can begin participating in non-contact football activities. The final step is full clearance, which is granted once both the physician and the neurologist agree that the player is ready to return to play.

Tagovailoa’s Concussions in the NFL

In 2022, Tagovailoa was diagnosed with two concussions and received a third head injury that eventually led the NFL to alter its concussion protocols.

Dolphins Seek Replacement for Tua

Mike McDaniel, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, announced that his team will be hiring another quarterback to replace Tua Tagovailoa.

"I don’t see how Tua plays the next game. We’ll bring someone in; we’re just evaluating the pros and cons of different situations. For now, Skylar Thompson remains next in line to play," McDaniel said.

The head coach also addressed the team's concern for Tagovailoa as a person, beyond his recovery to return to play.

"I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk about what should happen with his career. I think it’s fair that his career be decided by him. I understand that people want to get to that point, but I just hope people listen to what I’m saying; discussing his future is not the best thing for him due to the anxiety it might cause," the coach emphasized.