Dolphins fans have questions about NFL concussion protocol with Kenny Pickett

Dolphins fans have questions about concussion protocol as it pertains to Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, who they face this week.

Ever since a stretcher carried Tua Tagovailoa off the field following a brutal hit in week 4 against the Bengals, sensitivities about the NFL’s concussion protocol have been elevated. Shocked fans saw Tagovailoa stumble after a hit days before against the Bills, only to return to the game. Miami ultimately fired its independent neurologist who cleared Tua to play, but questions still remain about the handling of this incident.

Concussions are unfortunately a very real part of a sport that involves some of the largest, most athletic men in the world running full speed and colliding with each other. The NFL has certainly made progress in trying to better understand concussions and adding protocols to prevent athletes with head injuries from returning to play, but it remains a work in progress.

Take the Steelers and Kenny Pickett. In last week’s game against the Buccaneers, Pickett left after suffering concussion-like symptoms. The Steelers later confirmed the diagnosis. Pickett, however, was back at practice on Wednesday, set to start this weekend.

Dolphins fans confused about Steelers, Kenny Pickett

This rapid progress, however, had some in the Dolphins’ camp confused.

Now, Teddy Bridgewater was placed in concussion protocol after leaving the Jets game in week 5. Yet he didn’t practice in full until the following Friday.

While this non-linear progression through the protocol can torment fans, players’ bodies deal with concussions differently, and the severity of concussions will dictate recovery. Some will inevitably heal faster, while others could take weeks, if not months.

The NFL has a five-phase process to monitor players after concussions before they’re cleared to play.

Players will move through these phases at different rates. Pickett obviously breezed through the protocols, while Teddy Bridgewater took additional time. And given increased attention on the Dolphins organization due to the handling of Tagovailoa, it wouldn’t be surprising if team doctors took a more conservative approach than needed.

The NFL continues to evaluate and improve this process because it’s an inexact science, but more understanding and transparency are desperately needed.