Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and will play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. It’s his first start since being concussed in Week 2.

Tagovailoa spent about a month on injured reserve after suffering his third concussion of his NFL career on Sept. 12.

He has since met with numerous medical experts who deemed it safe for him to play football again. He needed to clear the NFL’s five-step return-to-play process, which came after he participated in practices and took contact without exhibiting concussion symptoms.

Tagovailoa was concussed when he collided with Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. He ran for a first down and initiated contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding. Tagovailoa said Monday that he has been symptom-free since a day after being diagnosed with the concussion.

He was diagnosed with two concussions in 2022 and also suffered another scary hit to the head, which led to changes in the NFL’s concussion rules.

DANIELS QUESTIONABLE >> Jayden Daniels is expected to be a game-time decision for the Washington Commanders when they host the Chicago Bears on Sunday because of a rib injury after practicing Friday and keeping the possibility alive of him facing Caleb Williams in a matchup of rookie quarterbacks taken atop the 2024 NFL draft.

Coach Dan Quinn said Friday that Daniels practiced in a limited capacity after sitting out Wednesday and Thursday. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner and AP Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite was injured early in a 40-7 rout of Carolina last weekend.

Daniels has thrown for 1,410 yards, ran for 372 and been responsible for 10 touchdowns through five-plus games.

VIKINGS LOSE LEFT TACKLE >> Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw will have season-ending surgery to repair torn ligaments in his left knee, a devastating development for a team that was undefeated a week ago but has since endured a series of setbacks.

Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL during Thursday night’s loss to the Rams. Darrisaw was placed on injured reserve, opening a spot on the active roster for tight end T.J. Hockenson, who spent the first eight weeks on the physically unable to perform list recovering from ACL and MCL tears.

PANTHERS’ RECEIVERS OUT >> Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young will be without starting wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen when he returns to the starting lineup on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Johnson was ruled out after missing practice all week with a rib injury. Thielen has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury.