Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will be back on the field when the Dolphins practice on Wednesday, NFL Network reported.

Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being injured on Sept. 29 during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The report said the former Alabama All-American would do some passing drills as he works his way back from the concussion.

That would indicate Tagovailoa has reached at least the third of the five steps in the NFL’s return-to-play procedure for players who have sustained concussions.

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The return process begins with symptom-limited activity. This is mainly a rest period, although limited stretching, balance activities and light aerobic activity are allowed. If a player does not experience an increase in his symptoms or show signs of a concussion on neurological examination, he can proceed to the next phase. That requirement holds step-by-step throughout the return process.

The second step is aerobic exercise, a graduated exercise program of stationary-bicycle or treadmill work, stretching and balance training. The player also can return to team meetings at this stage.

Upon demonstrating that he can participate in cardiovascular exercise without an increase in symptoms, the player goes to the third step, which is football-specific exercise. Now the player can engage in strength training and practice with the team in “sport-specific exercise” for no more than 30 minutes.

A player at this stage of return also will undergo neurocognitive testing. If that test shows he has not returned to his baseline readings, as interpreted by a neuropsychology consultant, the tests will be repeat until he does, typically every 48 hours. A player cannot return to contact activities until clearing the neurocognitive tests.

The fourth step in the return process is termed club-based, non-contact training drills. Those drills are position-specific. The player then could progress to participate in non-contact portions of his team’s practice.

The final step in the return to game action is the ability of the player to engage in full football activity. If the player can do that without setbacks, then the club physician can clear him to return. But first, the player must be examined by the independent neurological consultant assigned to the team to get the final OK.

Tagovailoa missed the Dolphins’ 40-17 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. His replacement, Teddy Bridgewater, got hurt on the first snap of that game and also is in the concussion protocol. Rookie Skylar Thompson made his NFL debut in completing the game under center for Miami.

The Dolphins’ next game is on Sunday, when the Minnesota Vikings visit Hard Rock Stadium for a noon CDT kickoff.

On Monday, Miami coach Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins did not have a timeline for Tagovailoa’s return to game action.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.