Bridgewater lands in concussion protocol in loss to Jets
Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater did not finish Sunday's 40-17 loss to the New York Jets after landing in concussion protocol in the first half.
Bridgewater passed concussion testing but was ruled out under the updated protocols after a spotter saw the quarterback stumble, head coach Mike McDaniel said postgame, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. He was also evaluated for an elbow injury.
Rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson replaced the veteran. Bridgewater was starting in place of Tua Tagovailoa, who remains in concussion protocol after he was injured in last Thursday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thompson finished with 166 passing yards and one interception on 33 attempts.
The Dolphins also lost left tackle Terron Armstead to a toe injury Sunday.
Bridgewater exited after taking a big hit from Jets cornerback Ahmad Gardner. The signal-caller was called for intentional grounding, resulting in a safety for New York.
The NFL and the players' association agreed Saturday to amend the concussion protocol following an investigation into the handling of Tagovailoa's injury.
Days before being hurt against Cincinnati, Tagovailoa took a hit from Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano on Sept. 25. He appeared shaken and stumbled after getting back to his feet. He was controversially cleared of a head injury and returned to the game, and the team attributed his symptoms to a back injury.
Although the NFL and players' association said the Dolphins followed the concussion protocol, the outcome of Tagovailoa's evaluation "was not what was intended when the protocol was drafted," a joint statement read.
The league and union agreed to change the concussion protocol to include ataxia - defined as "abnormality of balance/stability, motor coordination, or dysfunctional speech caused by a neurological issue" - among the symptoms that would prevent a player from returning to a game. Ataxia replaces "gross motor instability" on the list of such symptoms.