Tua, Bridgewater cleared from protocol

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has taken a big step toward returning to the field.

Tagovailoa was cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol Saturday morning, a league source told the Miami Herald, as was backup Teddy Bridgewater.

Bridgewater on Friday was listed as questionable for the team’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday because of the protocol, but his game status was removed Saturday. He will back up rookie Skylar Thompson,

who will be making his first NFL start.

Tagovailoa was already ruled out for Sunday but now is on track to return for next Sunday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on “Sunday Night Football.”

Tagovailoa hasn’t played since sustaining a concussion and being carted off the field on a stretcher in Cincinnati on Sept. 29. But he progressed through the protocol and was permitted to return to practice last week.

Bridgewater was placed in concussion protocol after an independent certified athletic trainer Booth Spotter said he stumbled after a hit in the team’s loss at the New York Jets last week and showed signs of ataxia, the league’s new no-go symptom that bars a player suspected of a head injury from returning to the game. He returned to practice Thursday.

O-LINE CHANGES

The Dolphins elevated offensive tackles Brandon Shell and Kion Smith from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

The decision to bring up two linemen instead of one could signal that left tackle Terron Armstead, who has played through a lingering toe injury, may not be able to suit up.

Armstead left last week’s loss on the second possession after he aggravated his toe injury, which he initially sustained in Week 1. He didn’t practice this week and hasn’t practiced since Week 2.

But coach Mike McDaniel has said the veteran could play even after missing practices.

This is the second consecutive elevation for Shell and the first of the season for Smith.

Shell, who has started 61 NFL games, filled in for Armstead last Sunday. In his six-year career, he’s primarily played right tackle. Greg Little, who has started the last five games at right tackle, said he practiced at both tackle spots this week.

Starting right tackle Austin Jackson (ankle) was designated to return from injured reserve this week and practiced twice. But he was not activated to the 53-man roster ahead of the 4 p.m. Saturday deadline. — DANIEL OYEFUSI

FRIENDLY RIVALS

The last time Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen saw each other in competition wasn't at Arrowhead Stadium during their January playoff game, when the Chiefs quarterback rallied past Allen and his Bills for an overtime victory and a return to the AFC title game.

It happened in June, when the QBs teamed up against Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady ina match-play event in Las Vegas. Mahomes and

Allen led after the first eight holes in the 12-hole exhibition but still lost.

It was the latest example of their burgeoning friendship, which also happens to be one of the NFL's best new rivalries, one that will be renewed when the Bills visit the Chiefs on Sunday (4:25 p.m., CBS).

“Josh is a great guy.

He's a great quarterback — physically talented, he can throw, can run. He can really do it all,” Mahomes said. “But he's a great dude, too.”

Mahomes has won three of their four matchups, including the two that mattered the most: that divisional-round win in January, when the teams combined for 25 points in the final two minutes of regulation before Kansas City won in overtime, and the AFC title game in the 2020 season, when the Chiefs went on to the Super Bowl.

This spring, both found themselves in Miami for the Formula One weekend. They hung out for a couple of hours the Saturday night before the race.

ELSEWHERE

Colts: Indianapolis will be without running backs Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and Nyheim Hines (concussion protocol) for Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

Rams: Running back

Cam Akers will not play against Carolina on Sunday after missing two days of practice for what coach

Sean McVay called personal reasons. Akers leads the Rams this season with 151 rushing yards (with one TD). The Rams have the NFL’s worst rushing offense at just 62.4 yards per game.

Ravens: Receiver

Rashod Bateman (foot) and linebacker Justin Houston (groin) were ruled out for Sunday's game at the N.Y. Giants.