Why isn’t Tua Tagovailoa playing for the Dolphins against the Patriots? When will he be back?

Tua Tagovailoa remains unavailable to the Miami Dolphins in Week 5 of the NFL season, amid ongoing uncertainty over when - or indeed if - the quarterback will be able to return to action.

The Dolphins take on the New England Patriots this weekend, with Mike McDaniel’s men aiming to snap a three-game losing streak that has seen the Floridians slip to 1-3.

Tagovailoa recovering from latest head injury

Tagovailoa has been sidelined since suffering a concussion in the Dolphins’ Week 2 defeat to the Buffalo Bills on September 12 - the third confirmed occasion on which he has sustained such a traumatic brain injury since joining the NFL in 2020. The 26-year-old also had two concussions in the 2022 season.

Ahead of the Dolphins’ Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on September 22, Miami placed Tagovailoa on their injured reserve list (IR), which means the QB must sit out at least four games, according to NFL rules. The very earliest he can come off the IR is after the Dolphins’ Week 7 match-up with the Indianapolis Colts on October 20. Miami then play the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 seven days later.

Before being cleared to play, Tagovailoa must also pass the NFL and NFL Players Association’s five-step concussion protocol.

“We’ll know more after the bye week”

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, McDaniel said he expected to know more about Tagovailoa’s status after Week 6 of the season, in which the Dolphins have a bye. “I think it’s important for me that we did right by him from a health perspective and for the organization from a health perspective,” the Miami head coach said.

“So before the bye week I hadn’t planned on checking on that [recovery] process at all considering he’s on IR, but he’s doing well and very active. So we’ll know more after the bye week.”

Meanwhile, the NFL’s chief medical officer has said the league cannot weigh in on any decision on Tagovailoa’s return, beyond enforcing the concussion protocol.

“Patient autonomy and medical decision-making really matters,” Dr Allen Sills told a conference call with reporters on Friday, per ESPN. “And I think that’s what we have to recognize goes on with our concussion protocol as well. Ultimately when patients make decisions about considering their careers, it has to reflect that autonomy that’s generated from discussions with medical experts giving them best medical advice.”

Who will play at QB for the Dolphins vs the Patriots?

In Tagovailoa’s absence, back-up quarterback Skylar Thompson started for the Dolphins against the Seahawks - but after suffering a rib injury, he was replaced by Tyler ‘Snoop’ Huntley for last Monday’s Week 4 clash with the Tennessee Titans. With Thompson listed as questionable for the Patriots game, McDaniels said on Tuesday that he plans to name Huntley as the Dolphins’ starting QB once more this weekend.

Dolphins vs Patriots: start time, how to watch

The Dolphins visit the Patriots on Sunday October 6, with kick-off at Gillette Stadium scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET/10:00 a.m. PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the game on FOX. If you don’t have cable, you can take in FOX’s coverage on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free introductory trial.

Enjoy the Dolphins vs the Patriots on fubo.

The Patriots also head into Week 5 at 1-3 after a run of three straight losses. In their first season under Jerod Mayo - who has replaced legendary head coach Bill Belichick - New England began with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but have since gone down to the Seahawks, the New York Jets and the San Francisco 49ers.