Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion Sept. 12 against the Buffalo Bills. The Miami Dolphins haven’t been the same since.
But that could change on Sunday.
Tagovailoa and Bills safety Damar Hamilton crashed into one another resulting in the concussion during a Week 2 loss. He left that game, was placed on the injured reserve list until further notice, and a host of Dolphins quarterbacks have played ever since.
This is not Tagovailoa’s first concussion. He has encountered three throughout his NFL career, raising questions about how long the former first-round draft pick is going to stay in the NFL.
But he — and Miami coach Mike McDaniel — put that notion to rest this week, when they both addressed reporters, assessing the possibility that Tagovailoa could play against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
And while that possibility is still up in the air, Tagovailoa is eligible to return, as per NFL rules, and he practiced with the team on Wednesday.
“Everything I think takes risk,” Tagovailoa said Monday, in addressing the notion of playing Sunday. “So, to answer that question, every time we all suit up, we’re all taking a risk that we could potentially get hurt, whether it’s a concussion, a broken bone, anything. You get up off of the bed the wrong way, you potentially could risk you spraining your ankle. There’s just risk in any and everything and I’m willing to play the odds, that’s it.”
DECLINING TO WEAR A GUARDIAN CAP
Whether he suits up or not, Tagovailoa will not wear a Guardian Cap around his helmet, a protective cover worn by some NFL players to reduce the risk of concussions.
Tagovailoa did not go into detail about the matter, instead he kept it short, simply saying that it was a “personal choice.”
Guardian caps mimic a soft shell and are essentially held together by elastic straps and velcro to help reduce impact that is encountered when players collide or are tackled. Tagovailoa’s decision has only added more drama to the buildup of this game, but McDaniel, in speaking on the matter Monday, tried to defuse any controversy.
“We aren’t allowed to mandate things that aren’t mandated in terms of their attire. I think in terms of his career, we just have a high priority to pass forth information and knowledge so that decisions can be made with the full breadth of information,” McDaniel said. “I think that I always preach that it is the individual player’s determination if they want to do so.”
TRAINING TIME WELL SPENT
Throughout his press conference, Tagovailoa was often asked about where he’s at physically. He turned those questions around by referring to his enthusiasm for a return, and getting back on the field as soon as possible.
As a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Tagovailoa still likely needs to be a full participant Thursday and Friday to be mentally and physically prepared for the grind of an NFL game.
Prior to Wednesday, though, Tagovailoa took the opportunity to start throwing the ball around with other players, doing so for the last five weeks.
“I’ve been working my butt off as if I was getting ready to play every game for every week … looking over the gameplan, going out and working with the athletic staff to go stand in a spot and I throw it to them and continue to work the timing of my footwork and all that to stay in shape and just to get ready,” he said. “I expect us to come out — whether we throw it deep or we don’t — and execute all of the plays that are given to us.”
STANDING ON THE SIDELINES
Going through the concussion process again has taken a toll on Tagovailoa. He notably explained his time on the sidelines as “frustrating.” Miami’s 2-4 record hasn’t helped matters, either.
But watching from that point of view gave him additional insight into the team’s weaknesses, and he’s been able to point out some items to both players and coaches. After all, as he told reporters, “my entire time playing football, I’ve been a competitor,” and that means on or off the sidelines.
But make no mistake, Tagovailoa is eager to get back on the field despite the concerns surrounding his health. Coming back from a third concussion is a risk, but this time, he’s adamant that he’s “got to be smart. That’s it, I’ve got to be smart. … (I’ve) definitely got to stay more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys.”
THE QUARTERBACK CAROUSEL
Including the loss that Tagovailoa left, the Dolphins are 1-4 since the injury and are clinging to contention in the AFC East.
Since that loss to the Bills, Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle have played quarterback, and Miami has only been able to muster a 15-10 win over the New England Patriots to accompany losses to the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts.
But Thompson only played a short period of time before a rib injury. And Huntley, who was a backup quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson before landing in Miami, encountered a shoulder injury against the Colts.
Finally, Boyle, who was recently added to the roster off the practice squad, finished the loss at Indianapolis and may play on Sunday if Tagovailoa cannot.
“The timing, cadence, the types of plays that we’re doing, that was all an adjustment, for sure, that you prepare within your scheme but it’s always something of a hurdle that teams have to — there’s plenty of teams that win football games with various quarterbacks,” McDaniel said. “So, the reason why we didn’t win wasn’t exclusive to the quarterback position. And in times when you have one of your best people out, other people have to step up including coaching.”
All that said, McDaniel has been adamant all week that he has not yet determined who will be at quarterback against a 3-4 Cardinals team that has just one road win.
