Miami’s Star Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Gears Up for Return

Miami Dolphins’ Quarterback Back in the Game

From the heart of Miami Gardens, Florida, news broke that Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback, is slated to return to practice this week. The announcement came from the team’s coach, Mike McDaniel, following Tagovailoa’s four-game absence due to a concussion sustained in Week 2. This marks his third concussion since his NFL career took off.

During Tagovailoa’s hiatus, the Dolphins experienced a downturn, losing three out of four games. Their current standing is 2-4, trailing the Buffalo Bills, the AFC East leaders, by 2.5 games.

Tagovailoa’s Health: A Green Light from Medical Experts

Medical professionals have given the green light for Tagovailoa’s return to the game, provided there are no unforeseen complications. The aim is for him to play in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals if all goes well.

Over the past month, Tagovailoa has been under the watchful eyes of neurologists, assessing his readiness to get back in action. Sources indicate that the player has not shown any concussion symptoms in recent weeks. His teammate, Dolphins’ running back Raheem Mostert, reported that Tagovailoa felt well enough to accompany him and tight end Jonnu Smith to a Disney on Ice event after his diagnosis.

Precautionary Measures and Future Preventions

The decision to place Tagovailoa on injured reserve followed medical experts’ advice, confirmed McDaniel. This move was aimed at eliminating any pressure for the quarterback to hasten his return before fully recovering.

Tagovailoa incurred his injury during Miami’s game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. As he makes his return, it comes with an understanding that he needs to exercise greater caution to avoid similar situations in the future.

Tyler Huntley had filled in for Tagovailoa in the past three games, but an injury to his right shoulder during Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts has left his position unclear.

Impact on Miami’s Offense

Without their star quarterback, the Dolphins’ offense has faltered. Last season’s leader in yardage, the team is currently struggling, scoring an average of a mere 11.67 points per game and ranking 23rd in passing yards per game.

Tagovailoa’s absence was acutely felt in 2022 when he sat out five games, including the playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. His string of concussions led to the NFL revising its policy on concussion reporting. Despite the challenges, Tagovailoa, the NFL’s top passer of 2023, didn’t miss any games in the following year and landed a four-year contract worth $212.1 million this offseason.