He is back in just the nick of time to save the Dolphins season.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has cleared concussion protocol and will take the field and be under center on Sunday against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals (3-4), head coach Mike McDaniel said on Friday.
Tagovailoa returned to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday and was a full participant on Thursday, which included contact. It is the first time he took part in practice since suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills in a 31-10 loss, his third in two years.
Following his upgraded status, Tagovailoa was able to meet with an independent neurological consultant to get full clearance from concussion protocol and return to action.
Despite his recent concussion history, shockingly Tagovailoa said this week he had no plans to wear a Guardian Cap which can provide extra protection, saying it was a “personal choice.” He also said that he has to be “smart” about the way he plays going forward to avoid future head injuries and trauma.
Embed from Getty Images“My entire time playing football, I’ve been a competitor and that is or was sort of my edge when I would run from high school, even in college I would do the same thing,” Tagovailoa said. “But it’s a professional setting; this is the professional level, the best of the best, you just can’t be doing that. So definitely got to stay more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys.”
With Tagovailoa unavailable, the Dolphins’ offense has been anemic, going 0-3 since the 26-year-old was injured. Tyler Huntley, whom the Dolphins acquired from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, after placing Tagovailoa on injured reserve, has struggled mightily in his past two games, throwing for 290 yards, no touchdowns and a pick.
The Dolphins’ offense as a whole has been challenged since Tagovailoa exited the lineup. Miami has averaged a dreadful 10 points per game since Week 2 and their top two wide receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, have not been able to utilize their speed and take the top off the field, eclipsing 70 receiving yards since both recorded over 100 yards in Week 1.
Hill was like a kid at Christmas and was thrilled to hear the news about Tagovailoa’s return to practice and is looking forward to connecting with him on the field like old times again.
“Me and him connected on a few deep shots today, and that kind of got me feeling good today,” Hill said on Wednesday. “I missed that and I missed him. I told him I’ve got to take him and his wife to dinner because I missed him so much. S*** was so beautiful, that s*** almost made me cry today like just having him in the lineup, having him call the plays, having him direct the offense, like just hearing his voice.
“I know that sounds crazy, but he’s a big part of this team.”
McDaniel also confirmed safety Jevon Holland and linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah will play Sunday after one-game injury absences. Cornerback Kader Kohou and defensive tackle Zach Sieler will not play, leaving the Dolphins shorthanded on the defensive side of the ball.
