Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Aims for Week 8 Return After Concussion

The Miami Dolphins have placed their quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve following his third diagnosed concussion during Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. This incident has reignited concerns over the quarterback’s long history of injuries and concussions, stemming back to his college days at Alabama.

Tagovailoa’s recent head injury occurred while attempting to gain a first down, leading to a collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. The impact resulted in Tagovailoa displaying the “fencing response,” a symptom associated with traumatic brain injuries, reminiscent of a similar incident during his 2022 concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In the aftermath, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced that Tagovailoa would seek assessments from outside neurologists to inform his decision on returning to play. Despite calls from some quarters for the quarterback to consider retirement due to his recurring health issues, McDaniel and Tagovailoa indicated his intent to continue playing.

Reports from insiders like Adam Schefter suggest that Tagovailoa is symptom-free and on track to return to the field by Week 8, as confirmed by Dolphins beat reporter Adam Beasley. This timeline aligns with his placement on injured reserve, which necessitates missing a minimum of four games.

The Dolphins have struggled offensively in Tagovailoa’s absence, with backup quarterbacks Skylar Thompson and veteran Tim Boyle unable to alleviate the team’s 1-2 record following losses to the Bills and the Seattle Seahawks. Miami is now looking towards Tagovailoa’s return against the Arizona Cardinals, which could reinvigorate their offensive strategy.

The quarterback’s injury struggles have been a recurring theme throughout his career. During his time at Alabama, he suffered multiple severe injuries, including a fractured pelvis and dislocated hip, which precipitated his early departure for the NFL in 2020.

Since joining the NFL, Tagovailoa’s career has been marred by injuries, including concussions, rib fractures, and a thumb injury. Despite these setbacks, he secured a lucrative four-year, $212.4 million extension with the Dolphins this July, underscoring his value to the team.

As the Dolphins prepare for his potential return, questions remain about the long-term viability of Tagovailoa’s career in light of his injury history and the physical demands of professional football.