Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins designated Tua Tagovailoa to return to practice on Monday after he spent about a month on injured reserve after suffering the third concussion of his NFL career on Sept. 12.

Coach Mike McDaniel says Tagovailoa had “positive” meetings with neurologists during the Dolphins bye week, though he remains in concussion protocol and on injured reserve.

Back-up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater looks set to start Sunday's game against the New England Patriots, in another blow to the Miami Dolphins' playoff hopes. Coach Mike McDaniel refused to confirm that Tua Tagovailoa would return this season.

As the NFL heads into its sixth week, concerns around brain injuries are at a renewed high after a dramatic hit on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa prompted a change to the league's concussion protocol.

Tua Tagovailoa sustained a major hit in a Sept. 25 game that the team called a back injury that raised questions. Now, he's being treated for a possible concussion after a Thursday game.