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Tua Tagovailoa returns from a concussion as the Dolphins' starter


Tua Tagovailoa returns from a concussion as the Dolphins' starter

Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return for the Dolphins on Sunday.

Coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that the team is designating Tagovailoa to return from IR after he missed the last four games with a concussion.


Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa watches the play from the sidelines during a game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 22, 2024
Tua Tagovailoa watches the Dolphins' loss to the Seahawks from the bench on September 22, 2024. AP

McDaniel said Tagovailoa should play Sunday, although the quarterback still must clear concussion protocols.

According to ESPN. Tagovailoa hasn't had any concussion symptoms in weeks.

“Our plan is to begin practice on Wednesday and clearance will come after some activity,” McDaniel said, according to USA Today. “But of course we do this in the hope that everything goes well so that he can play on Sunday, but that is still being clarified.”

The decision to transfer him or IR and automatically put him out of action for four weeks was a safety measure to keep him from making a hasty return.

Some former players pushed for Tagovailoa to retire after he lay on the field with a horrific head injury in a Sept. 12 loss to the Bills.

Tagovalioa, 26, has a history of head injuries and missed part of the 2022 season after a devastating hit against the Bengals.

The Dolphins lost three of four games without Tagovailoa, their only win coming against the weak Patriots.

Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle have all seen time.


Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel advises quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who left the game due to a concussion, during a football game against the Buffalo Bills on September 12, 2024.
Tua Tagovailoa is helped off the field after suffering a concussion against the Bills on September 12, 2024. AP

Huntley and Thompson also suffered injuries that forced Boyle out of action Sunday in a 16-10 loss to the Colts.

It's unclear who Tagovailoa's replacement will be on Sunday.

“To be determined,” McDaniel said. “There is still information to be gathered… There are still things that need to continue in the evaluation process and I will make my decision on that with the coaching staff.”

The Dolphins had one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL last season and made the playoffs for the second straight year.

However, Tagovailoa will now have to rally the team from a 2-4 start if they want to get back into the postseason.

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