The Anticipated Comeback of Tua Tagovailoa

The Miami Dolphins have been longing for the return of their prominent quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, and their wishes were finally granted this past Wednesday. The excitement was palpable among the team, particularly in wide receiver Tyreek Hill who was ecstatic to have his teammate back on the practice field.

Tagovailoa’s Recovery Journey

Tagovailoa rejoined the team for practice after a significant concussion kept him off the field since September 12. Following his injury, he was listed on injured reserve, causing him to miss the next four games. However, this week Tagovailoa is eligible for removal from the IR, and according to Hill, his return has reenergized the team’s dynamic.

“He was phenomenal. It felt like a reunion,” Hill shared. “We connected on numerous long passes today which really lifted my spirits. His absence was greatly felt. In fact, I plan to treat him and his wife to dinner as a gesture of how much he was missed. The return of his leadership and guidance to the team was truly a sight for sore eyes.”

Hill’s Struggles without Tagovailoa

Without Tagovailoa’s presence, the Dolphins struggled in their previous four games, only securing a single win. The team’s offense took a hit, ranking poorly in points scored, offensive expected points added, and yards per game. Hill’s performance also dipped without his quarterback, leaving him on track for his lowest receiving yards since his inaugural season.

Yet, after Wednesday’s practice, Hill’s enthusiasm was rekindled. He reported that Tagovailoa successfully threw almost every pass to him, a sign of promising matches to come.

Tagovailoa’s Responsibility

Tagovailoa’s concussion occurred during a scramble against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. Both Tagovailoa and coach Mike McDaniel concurred that moving forward, the quarterback needs to be more cautious on the field. Hill humorously disclosed that the team frequently advises Tagovailoa to slide, a move that would surely be celebrated by Dolphins fans.

Raheem Mostert, the team’s running back, supported Hill’s statements, adding that Tagovailoa is ultimately the one who holds the reins of his on-field actions.

“We’ve been advising him since his injury,” Mostert said. “On a serious note, he knows that he needs to prioritize his safety a little more. While we can offer him advice, it’s ultimately up to him to act on it.”

Tagovailoa’s Road to Recovery

Tagovailoa participated in Wednesday’s practice, albeit in a limited capacity. To ensure his spot in Sunday’s game, he will need to fully participate in practices either Thursday or Friday. Upon doing so, he can consult with an independent neurological consultant assigned to the team and receive final clearance to play.

Tagovailoa, the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NFL draft, claimed to be symptom-free since the day after his concussion, marking the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career.