EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Teddy Bridgewater’s first start at quarterback for his hometown Miami Dolphins lasted one offensive play.
Bridgewater was forced to exit against the New York Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium due to the NFL and NFL Players Association adjustment to the league’s concussion protocol that was announced Saturday.
After taking a hit from Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, Bridgewater was ruled out, deemed to show signs of ataxia, the new term being emphasized in concussion checks. While Bridgewater passed all concussion tests with the Dolphins’ team doctor and the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant in the locker room, the spotter upstairs deemed Bridgewater stumbled, which is an automatic “no-go” symptom.
With rookie seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson in at quarterback, the Dolphins trail the Jets, 26-17, in the fourth quarter.
With the Dolphins backed up against their own goal line, Bridgewater took the hit from Gardner in the end zone. Getting the pass off, Bridgewater had the back of his head hit the ground from whiplash, similar to how Miami starter Tua Tagovailoa had it happen in each of the Dolphins’ past two games.
Bridgewater was evaluated in the team’s medical tent on the sideline and then escorted by the team doctor and UNC into the locker room. The initial announcement, before he was ruled out, said an elbow injury was also at play while he was evaluated for a head injury.
The Bridgewater pass was ruled intentional grounding, resulting in a safety since it took place in the end zone. While the pass landed at the feet of tight end Durham Smythe, Smythe was engaged as a blocker.
Thompson entered on the Dolphins’ second drive and second offensive play. Miami does not have another active quarterback as recently signed Reid Sinnett was not up on the game-day roster from the team’s practice squad. Wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. would be the backup should something happen to Thompson.
Bridgewater was starting Sunday while Tagovailoa recovers from his concussion suffered on Sept. 29 in the Dolphins’ loss at the Cincinnati Bengals. The league and union’s review of a Tagovailoa concussion check four days earlier, when he was cleared to return against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25, ignited the protocol adjustment put into action for Sunday’s NFL games.
Bridgewater suffered two concussions while with the Denver Broncos last season.
In addition to Bridgewater, Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead left Sunday’s game later in the first quarter after re-aggravating his toe injury he has played through for Miami’s previous three games and did not return. Armstead was questionable entering Sunday with the ailment after going the week without practicing.
Veteran tackle Brandon Shell, who was elevated from Miami’s practice squad on Saturday, replaced Armstead at left tackle.
Trailing throughout the afternoon, the Dolphins missed an opportunity to take their first lead early in the fourth quarter when kicker Jason Sanders missed a 54-yard field goal wide right.
After the safety to start the scoring Sunday, the Jets tacked on a 34-yard field goal from Greg Zuerlein later in the opening period to take a 5-0 lead.
On the final play of a first quarter from hell for the Dolphins, running back Breece Hall broke free from coverage on a wheel route to take a pass from quarterback Zach Wilson 79 yards to the 1-yard line. New York scored on a Michael Carter 1-yard run on the first play of the second quarter. The Jets extended their advantage, 12-0.
But the Dolphins responded by maneuvering 75 yards in eight plays for a touchdown drive capped by a creative wide run for 12 yards by tailback Raheem Mostert. It was reminiscent of coach Mike McDaniel’s run game as offensive coordinator in San Francisco as, on the previous play, wide receiver Tyreek Hill had a 10-yard run on a double reverse.
It was 12-7, but New York got those points back on a 5-yard Wilson touchdown scamper that came off a Gardner interception to give the offense the ball around midfield.
The Dolphins got back to within one score right before halftime. After a Mostert run got Miami to the 1-yard line, another brilliant play design by McDaniel had tight end Durham Smythe motion under center to sneak the ball across with 2 seconds left before intermission.
The Jets led, 19-14, at halftime, and Miami got to within 2, 19-17, on a 46-yard field goal from Jason Sanders on the opening drive of the second half.
After facing the Jets, the Dolphins return home to play the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6 next Sunday.
