Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa remains in concussion protocol, won’t participate in Pro Bowl

One month after being diagnosed with his second concussion in the 2022 season, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains in the league’s protocol and will not participate in Pro Bowl activities next week, a league source told the Miami Herald.

Tagovailoa was named a first alternate to the Pro Bowl, meaning he would get an invitation if one among the three AFC quarterbacks named to the Pro Bowl team (Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow) were unavailable to participate due to injury or their team advancing to the Super Bowl.

Tagovailoa is now guaranteed to be invited because either Mahomes or Burrow will play in the Super Bowl.

However, the 24-year-old will not participate in the all-star event as he continues to recover, the source said.

Tagovailoa has not had a setback, but doctors are being cautious in his return from what was either his second or third concussion this season.

For the first time, the Pro Bowl event will consist of skills competitions and non-contact flag football games, instead of a tackle football game. It will be held between Feb. 2 and 5 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and a facility in Henderson, Nevada. Peyton Manning will coach the AFC team; Eli Manning will coach the NFC team.

Tagovailoa missed the final two regular-season games and the Dolphins’ playoff game after doctors determined on Dec. 26 that he sustained a concussion the previous day against Green Bay.

Speaking this week with Honolulu TV station KHON at a Polynesian Football Hall of Fame event, this week, Tagovailoa’s parents expressed gratitude to the Dolphins and his fans for their prayers as he recovered from the Christmas concussion against Green Bay.

Asked if there’s any doubt about him coming back next season, Tua’s father Galu said: “He comes back. That’s their guy. They love him. We love them and what they’re doing and how they’re helping him with his recovery. Still going through his protocol. We’re grateful for them too. Very thankful for the organization, the owner [Chris] Grier, head coach Mike. That guy is special, a very special head coach.”

Galu Tagovailoa added: “He’s great. He’s doing fine. He’s happy. That’s the most important thing as parents. You like to see your kids with a smile on their face when you walk in their home. He’s doing great…. Those who supported our son and family, thank you so much.”

His mother, Diane, said: “The power of prayer is truly amazing. Across the globe, everyone was praying for his healing and our healing as well. As parents, we don’t ever want to see our children hurt. The prayers have been so comforting. We’re so grateful.”

THIS AND THAT

▪ Dolphins linebackers coach Anthony Campanile will interview for the team’s defensive coordinator job Friday, ESPN reported.

Former NFL defensive coordinator Vic Fangio interviewed for the job on Wednesday and is considered by some to be the leading candidate. But Miami has competition for him.

Seattle defensive assistant Sean Desai and Saints co-coordinator Kris Richard also have interviewed.

▪ Dolphins cornerback Keion Crossen this week had surgery on a shoulder injury that troubled him all of last season.

“Thanks for the prayers and wishes, played nearly an entire season with subluxation of my shoulder out the back [hurt like hell],” he said on Twitter. “But I guess I just heal fast, or I’m just built different I’ll take both.”

Crossen has a $2.9 million nonguaranteed salary for next season and $3.2 million cap hit. But Crossen had value as a core special teams player and backup cornerback.

▪ Pro Football Focus did a piece on one player that each team cannot afford to lose in free agency.

The website listed linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel as that player for Miami. But his return is dubious because there’s a decent chance he will be able to find more money and a bigger role elsewhere.

PFF said: “Van Ginkel would be a rotational player for this Dolphins defense behind edge defenders Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb — and Melvin Ingram if he returns — but he brings a different skill set weighing about 40 pounds less than those guys. He had a career year as a pass rusher in 2021 with 45 pressures, including a 14.9% pressure rate that ranked 14th among edge defenders, but was delegated to more of a reserve role in 2022.

“Perhaps this provides the impetus for Van Ginkel to push for a larger role elsewhere, but if not, he’d be a solid player to bring back for Miami.”

His run defense grade over the past three seasons was PFF’s ninth-best among edge players.

▪ Quick stuff: Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold has written a book, “The Seven Crucibles: An Inspirational Game Plan for Overcoming Adversity in Your Life.”

Amazon says the “NFL fullback and motivational speaker Alec Ingold delivers a hands-on playbook for conquering every obstacle that stands between you and success, on the playing field and in life. You’ll learn to utilize your own story of trials and tribulations to help embrace the changes to create future success.”....

The Dolphins and First Class Cruises will hold a cruise allowing fans to mingle with more than 30 former players.

The inaugural seven-day Miami Dolphins Fan Cruise will sail the Caribbean and depart from Miami on April 2. It will stop at several Caribbean cities including Ocean Cay, Nassau, San Juan, and Puerto Plata.

The Dolphins say “guests will enjoy Dolphins-themed events and activities, parties, meet-and-greets, photo opportunities and much more alongside the company of Dolphins alumni throughout the decades and members from the 1972 undefeated team.”