THE Miami Dolphins have provided a massive update on star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The 2023 NFL Pro Bowler has been out since Week 3 after suffering a concussion the previous week.
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel speaks during a news conference at the team’s training facility on Wednesday[/caption]
Miami Dolphins star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa takes questions during a news conference on Monday[/caption]
On Friday, the Dolphins announced that Tagovailoa will start against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8.
The 26-year-old passed through concussion protocol on Friday and he will be activated from injured reserve to play in the game, per head coach Mike McDaniel.
“After going through the process and having a practice where we were able to initiate some contact with him,” McDaniel told reporters, per NFL.com, “and then he met with an independent doctor and was fully cleared.
“He was out of the protocol.”
The news comes after Tua was a full participant in practice on Thursday.
He suffered two concussions during the 2022 season and possibly a third in that year.
On Monday, Tagovailoa responded to those who are worried about him returning to play on the field.
“I appreciate your concern, I really do,” he said.
“I love this game, and I love it to the death of me. That’s it.”
Tua also revealed that he will not wear a guardian cap over his helmet.
The cap is soft, protective padding worn over the helmet.
The Dolphins have struggled mightily on offense since he injured his head in the team’s loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
The offensive-minded McDaniel’s squad has gone 1-4 and has averaged 10 points per game.
Last year, under Tagovailoa, they averaged 29.2 ppg, second in the NFL.
Tagovailoa assisted off the field in the third quarter after suffering a concussion during a Week 2 loss against the Buffalo Bills[/caption]
After a career season in which he threw for a league-leading 4,624 passing yards, Tua received a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with $167.1 million guaranteed.
In two games, he has completed 40 of 62 passes for 483 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
During the games in which Tua hasn’t played, Miami has used three quarterbacks: Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, and Tim Boyle.
This week, the team signed C.J. Beathard to the practice squad.
McDaniel didn’t reveal Friday whether Thompson, Boyle, or Beathard will back up Tagovailoa.
Huntley injured his shoulder in the Dolphins’ Week 7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts and likely won’t be available this week.
