Tua Tagovailoa: A Tenacious Comeback to the NFL Field

Anticipated Return to Practice

Miami Dolphins’ quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is slated to hit the practice field once again next week, with a keen eye on taking part in the Sunday match against the Arizona Cardinals, as per reliable sources. Currently, Tagovailoa is navigating through the concussion protocol set by the NFL, which will be a decisive factor in his return to the game.

Despite his latest concussion, Tagovailoa is dead set on his comeback to the football field, brushing aside any lingering doubts about his intentions. The alarming nature of his most recent injury, characterized by a fencing response, doesn’t seem to have deterred his spirit, reflecting his resilience in the face of past concussion experiences.

Medical Consultations and Determination

Tagovailoa has been spotted in consultations with neurologists in Pittsburgh, a regular part of his routine, and so far, there has been no medical advice persuasive enough to sway his decision to continue pursuing his lifelong passion for football.

In his relentless pursuit of information to make an informed decision about his future, Tagovailoa has not only seen his trusted doctors who have assisted him after his previous head injuries but also sought the opinion of new ones. However, a source earlier this month confirmed, “He’s 100 percent playing.” Tagovailoa, on his part, maintains that he feels perfectly fine.

Recovery and Resilience

Following a concussion during the Dolphins’ Week 2 Thursday night match against the Bills, Tagovailoa was quick to shake off the symptoms. Instead of being rushed to a local hospital, he chose to stay in the Dolphins’ locker room, meet his teammates, and showed little signs of experiencing another brain-related traumatic incident.

Tagovailoa’s determination to return to practice next week was first reported by The Athletic. Since entering the NFL in 2020, Tagovailoa, now 26, has had a series of concussions. He was diagnosed with two during the 2022 season and took another hit to the head leading to a revision in the NFL’s concussion reporting policy.

Focused on a Strong Return

After his concussion diagnosis on Dec. 26, 2022, the Dolphins decided to bench him for the remainder of the season, allowing him to complete the league’s protocol once the season was over.

Tagovailoa is expected to miss his fourth game this Sunday when the Dolphins go up against the Colts in Indianapolis. However, he will be eligible to come off the injured reserve next week and return on Oct. 27 for the Dolphins’ home game against the Cardinals.

In Tagovailoa’s absence, the Dolphins have fielded two quarterbacks: Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley, the latter being a recent recruit from the Ravens’ practice squad, who took over after Thompson’s injury. The Dolphins intend to continue with Huntley as the starting quarterback until Tagovailoa’s return.

Dolphins’ coach, Mike McDaniel, believes that the team’s Week 6 bye gave Huntley ample time to delve into the intricate aspects of the Dolphins’ complex offense. With cautious optimism, there is a rising consensus that Tagovailoa could return to quarterback as early as next week.

Tagovailoa has been actively participating in team meetings and been present on the sideline for every game he has missed, immersing himself in all team activities, barring practices and games.

Bottom line

The anticipated return of Tua Tagovailoa is a testament to his resilience and passion for the game, reflecting an unyielding spirit that continues to inspire both his team and fans.