Tag: Tagovailoa

Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) reacts front field after theme against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip) doubtful to play against Jets

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets and considered highly unlikely to play.

This will be the second straight start Tagovailoa will miss. Tyler Huntley is slated to start the contest.

“We’ll approach it like Snoop’s starting,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said, referencing Huntley by his nickname. “It looks like the way that I approached the week (before) was probably smart. I see it as unlikely that Tua will see any action.”

The Dolphins (8-8) need a win to have any chance of making the playoffs, but McDaniel doesn’t feel the injury is something Tagovailoa can play through.

“A bruise would be like pain tolerance,” McDaniel said. “That’s something that I think Tua wishes it was just a pain issue. It’s quite literally being able to have the strength to do what we ask him to do, as well as protecting himself from very serious injury if we don’t treat it appropriately. I wouldn’t say it’s a bruise, but it’s a unique muscle issue as a result of the hip.”

Tagovailoa told reporters on Friday that he is frustrated to be dealing with an injury while the team’s playoffs hopes are on the line.

He told reporters that he would definitely play if the Dolphins have a playoff game next week. Miami must beat the Jets and have the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs for the Dolphins to make the postseason field.

“If the cards play out the way they should, and the way we know and think they can, I’m going to be available next week,” Tagovailoa said. “There’s no ifs, ands, or buts. I’ll be playing for sure.”

Tagovaiola missed four games earlier in the season due to a concussion but has played well when healthy by passing for 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games. He has completed a league-leading 72.9 percent of his passes.

Sunday would mark Huntley’s fifth start of the season. He has passed for 602 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while going 2-2 as the starter. He has also rushed for two scores.

Miami linebacker Anthony Walker (knee) will miss the contest. Receivers Tyreek Hill (wrist/illness), Jaylen Waddle (knee) and Dee Eskridge (finger) are questionable, as are left tackle Terron Armstead (knee), defensive tackle Calais Campbell (neck) and safety Jevon Holland (wrist).

Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) will miss the contest.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) is checked on by trainers after an apparent injury against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins formally activate Tua Tagovailoa from injured reserve

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins officially activated quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from injured reserve on Saturday.

Tagovaiola will start Sunday’s game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals after missing four games due to a concussion sustained in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.

Tagovailoa returned to practice this week and didn’t have any issues related to the head injury. He was cleared from concussion protocol on Friday and listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

The concussion was the fourth documented one during Tagovailoa’s football career. He had two during the 2022 season.

The Dolphins struggled on offense without Tagovailoa and scored just 40 total points during the four games he missed.

Miami also released quarterback Tim Boyle on Saturday. Boyle, 30, got into two games for the Dolphins this season and was 15-of-26 passing for 153 yards..

Skylar Thompson will serve as the backup to Tagovailoa against the Cardinals. Tyler Huntley, who started the past three games, injured his throwing shoulder in last week’s 16-10 road loss to the Indianapolis Colts and was placed on injured reserve.

Tagovailoa has appeared in 55 games and is 33-20 as a starter. He has completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 13,122 yards with 83 touchdowns and 40 interceptions.

Miami also elevated defensive tackle Neil Farrell and long snapper Matt Overton from the practice squad.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins excited at prospect of Tua Tagovailoa returning vs. Cards

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins own the least productive offense in the NFL, but they feel one player could make a big difference.

The Dolphins have their eyes set on a sudden increase in points as they count on standout quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returning to action on Sunday when they battle the Arizona Cardinals at Miami Gardens, Fla.

Miami (2-4) ranks last in the NFL at 11.7 points per game. The free fall began when Tagovailoa sustained a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.

Tagovailoa returned to practice on Wednesday and was a limited performer. He still has to clear concussion protocol and be activated from injured reserve before he can play.

Tagovailoa has had four documented concussions in his college and NFL careers, including two in 2022. After the latest one, he spent a lot of time talking to doctors, neurologists and other health experts.

He concluded moving forward with his career was the right call.

“Just got to be smart,” Tagovailoa said. “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. 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.”

And right now, Miami’s results show the team needs an immediate jolt from the quarterback position.

“I don’t think for myself I put any pressure on myself coming back and having to save the team,” Tagovailoa said.

An explosive attack that was one of the best in the league has struggled to find the end zone without him. Miami scored 40 total points in the four games Tagovailoa missed.

Standout Miami receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for 191 receptions, 2,813 yards and 17 scoring receptions last season. They have 46 catches, 563 yards and one score through six games this season.

Hill has 24 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown. He caught one pass for 8 yards in last week in the Dolphins’ 16-10 road loss against the Indianapolis Colts.

Waddle (22-269-0) had one catch for 11 yards against the Colts.

Hill, though, was highly optimistic Wednesday.

“We’re back, baby,” Hill told reporters. “Strike up the (expletive) band. We’re back.”

Arizona (3-4) is coming off a 17-15 home win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.

Running back James Conner led the way with a season-high 152 yards from scrimmage (101 rushing, 51 receiving). He set up Chad Ryland’s decisive 32-yard field goal by catching a short pass in the final minute, breaking a tackle and racing 33 yards to the Los Angeles 22-yard line.

Conner has rushed for 504 yards and three touchdowns this season.

“He energizes the offense, the sideline, the defense and the whole team,” Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said of Conner. “The stadium feels that. That’s what he is for us. Not only a playmaker but a guy that guys can lean on. He gets people going for sure.”

Murray scrambled for a 44-yard touchdown in the contest. He has 325 yards and two scores on the ground while passing for 1,331 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Murray said the offense was sloppy against the Chargers.

“We ended up winning that game, which is great,” Murray said, “but the expectations are higher for me offensively.”

The Cardinals sustained a big blow against the Chargers when outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck sustained a torn ACL in his right knee. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) and defensive lineman Roy Lopez (ankle) missed practice due to injuries on Wednesday.

Three Miami players sat out Wednesday due to injury: quarterback Tyler Huntley (right shoulder) and cornerbacks Kader Kohou (neck) and Storm Duck (ankle).

The Dolphins have won 10 of the teams’ 13 all-time matchups.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stands on the sidelines during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa returns from latest concussion

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Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is set to return from his latest concussion, ushered back from injured reserve after clearing NFL protocol for head injuries.

Neurologists and head injury experts were sounding boards for Tagovailoa to “effortlessly make this decision,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

McDaniel said he will ensure Tagovailoa is “properly protected” but also admitted all parties know he cannot control all aspects of the game.

“Anytime you have a teammate that you grow together with, it feels a little off when he’s not in the mix as much. He’s not — we’re not calling plays for him. It’s meaningful for the whole team considering he’s been captain every year since we’ve been here. He’s been captain every year since I’ve been here. I can’t remember the number but he continues to grow his vote total every year.

“What I just finished talking to the team about: He’s not the savior either. There’s a lot that has been to looked at in an individual’s game. It’s not, ‘Tua’s here. He’s going to fix the issues.’”

The Dolphins (2-4) went 1-3 without Tagovailoa, including Sunday’s loss at Indianapolis. McDaniel said he showed maturity and growth as a leader by pouring support into teammates while unable to get on the field himself.

“He’s taught a lot of his teammates about himself and how much he’s along for the ride with them,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel emphasized medical professionals took the lead on the decision to bring back the 26-year-old for Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals. He missed five games in 2022 because of a pair of concussions.

Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve in September because medical experts advised he needed “time” to heal, McDaniel said. Now that he has the green light to return, the coaching staff will not make many noticeable changes from the last time he was on the field Sept. 12.

“I wouldn’t say from a schematic standpoint things would change that much,” McDaniel said. “Him being smart. Using his football IQ and acumen as the quarterback of the team, being able to protect himself with his skills as the team needs him to.”

The Dolphins are not permitted to mandate Tagovailoa wear a guardian cap, the cushioned helmet overlay permitted this season, but McDaniel said the team has worked to make “all available options” known to the quarterback. He reiterated no coaches or staff impacted Tagovailoa’s decision to return to the active roster.

“The reason why he’s coming back now is medical experts deemed it safe for him to come back,” McDaniel said.

Tyler Huntley (shoulder) is still being evaluated, according to McDaniel, who said the overall play wasn’t good enough at the position without Tagovailoa.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks off the field with training staff after an apparent injury during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Reports: Dolphins placing QB Tua Tagovailoa on IR

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Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who left last Thursday’s game with another concussion, is being placed on injured reserve by the Miami Dolphins, NFL Network and ESPN reported Tuesday.

He will be required to miss at least the next four games, per league rules. With the Dolphins having a bye in Week 6, the earliest Tagovailoa could return to game action would be the Oct. 27 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

In anticipation of a prolonged absence for Tagovailoa, the Dolphins signed Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad Monday to back up Skylar Thompson at quarterback.

After the 26-year-old Tagovailoa suffered the third known concussion of his NFL career — which doesn’t count a concussion at Alabama and another suspected concussion in 2022 — there were calls, including from several former NFL players, for Tagovailoa to consider retiring. NFL Network reported Sunday that Tagovailoa has no plans to retire and had begun meeting with concussion specialists.

As expected, that wasn’t a topic Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel wanted to touch when he addressed reporters Monday.

“I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career and speak on that,” McDaniel said. It was unclear when Tagovailoa would speak to the media next.

McDaniel also was asked Monday if Tagovailoa was exhibiting symptoms.

“He’s downstairs, smiling with teammates, working with medical staff diligently,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing well today. He’s feeling good. But what does that mean in terms of medical diagnosis? I don’t base my judgments off my interactions with him as much as hearing the end result of the medical examination.”

Tagovailoa suffered the concussion during last Thursday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. He scrambled for a first down on a fourth-and-4 play in the red zone, but instead of sliding, he collided with Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, his head making contact with Hamlin’s arm.

Tagovailoa appeared to exhibit a fencing response, but rather than being carted off by ambulance, as he was during a similar sequence in 2022, he was able to leave the field under his own power.

Thompson, the only other quarterback on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, finished out Thursday’s game. McDaniel said Thompson would be Miami’s starter for Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, with Huntley signed to back him up.

“He’s game has developed since he’s had a starting opportunity in this league. His teammates can feel his development and growth,” McDaniel said of Thompson.

Thompson played in seven games, starting two, in 2022 and did not see the field in 2023. He has thrown for 614 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on a 57.1 completion percentage in his brief NFL career.

Huntley, 26, has started at least one game in each of the past three seasons for the Ravens, filling in for Lamar Jackson. In 20 career games (nine starts) since 2020, Huntley has amassed 1,957 passing yards, eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 64.6 completion percentage.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel discusses Tua Tagovailoa's extension July 28, 2024

Dolphins going ‘day by day’ with Tua; Skylar Thompson to start Week 3

Posted on | by Field Level Media

As outside calls for Tua Tagovailoa to reconsider his NFL career grew over the weekend, the Miami Dolphins are taking the injured quarterback’s situation “day by day.”

In practice, that means the Dolphins are holding off on deciding whether Tagovailoa will be placed on injured reserve, as well as signing Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad to back up Skylar Thompson at quarterback.

Addressing reporters Monday, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said there is “not enough information” yet for he and general manager Chris Grier to decide whether Tagovailoa should go on IR, which would require he miss at least four weeks.

After the 26-year-old Tagovailoa suffered the third known concussion of his NFL career — which doesn’t count a concussion at Alabama and another suspected concussion in 2022 — there were calls, including from several former NFL players, for Tagovailoa to consider retiring. NFL Network reported Sunday that Tagovailoa has no plans to retire and has begun meeting with concussion specialists.

As expected, that wasn’t a topic McDaniel wanted to touch.

“I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career and speak on that,” McDaniel said. It was unclear when Tagovailoa would speak to the media next.

McDaniel was also asked if Tagovailoa is exhibiting symptoms.

“He’s downstairs, smiling with teammates, working with medical staff diligently,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing well today. He’s feeling good. But what does that mean in terms of medical diagnosis? I don’t base my judgments off my interactions with him as much as hearing the end result of the medical examination.”

Tagovailoa suffered the concussion during last Thursday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. He scrambled for a first down on a fourth-and-4 play in the red zone, but instead of sliding, he collided with Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, his head making contact with Hamlin’s arm.

Tagovailoa appeared to exhibit a fencing response, but rather than being carted off by ambulance, as he was during a similar sequence in 2022, he was able to leave the field under his own power.

Thompson, the only other quarterback on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, finished out Thursday’s game. McDaniel said Thompson would be Miami’s starter for Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, with Huntley signed off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad to back him up.

“He’s game has developed since he’s had a starting opportunity in this league. his teammates can feel his development and growth,” McDaniel said.

Thompson played in seven games, starting two, in 2022 and did not see the field in 2023. He has thrown for 614 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on a 57.1 completion percentage in his brief NFL career.

Huntley, 26, has started at least one game in each of the past three seasons for the Ravens, filling in for Lamar Jackson. In 20 career games (nine starts) since 2020, Huntley has amassed 1,957 passing yards, eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 64.6 completion percentage.

–Field Level Media

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) warms up before a 2024 AFC divisional round game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Report: Dolphins signing QB Tyler Huntley

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Miami Dolphins are signing quarterback Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad, NFL Network reported Monday.

Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa is in the concussion protocol and Skylar Thompson is preparing to start under center on Sunday at Seattle.

Huntley, 26, was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2022 season. Since joining the Ravens in 2020 as an undrafted free agent, he is 3-6 as a starter and has appeared in 20 games for Baltimore.

Huntley has completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 1,957 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has rushed for 509 yards and three scores.

–Field Level Media

Aug 2, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) stretch during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Dolphins ‘confident’ in Skylar Thompson as QB1

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Quarterback Skylar Thompson will be the starter for the Miami Dolphins as Tua Tagovailoa deals with his latest concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.

The Dolphins plan to bring in another quarterback for depth following the injury sustained by Tagovailoa during their 31-10 home loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. There are only two QBs on the current 53-man roster and none on the practice squad.

“The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said.

Tagovailoa exited in the third quarter after a collision with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. Thompson entered and completed 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions and one sack.

Thompson, 27, was a seventh-round pick by Miami in 2022 and was making his first appearance since a wild-card playoff loss at Buffalo on Jan. 15, 2023.

As a rookie in 2022, Thompson made two starts for an injured Tagovailoa and completed 57.1 percent of his pass attempts for 534 yards with one TD and three picks.

“What’s going to lie ahead, who knows, but man, I’m confident, though,” Thompson said after Thursday’s game. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever’s to come. I’m going to prepare and work hard and do everything I can to lead this team and do my job.”

Tagovailoa, 26, entered concussion protocol as the Dolphins (1-1) began preparations for their Week 3 game at Seattle on Sept. 22.

McDaniel said Friday it is too early to speculate on the availability of Tagovailoa, who suffered at least his third concussion as an NFL player when his head bounced off the turf.

“I have no idea and I’m not going to all of a sudden start making decisions that I don’t even see myself involved in the most important parts of,” McDaniel added. “All I’m telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad and be a dad this weekend. And then we’ll move from there. There won’t be any talk about where we’re going in that regard … none of that will happen without doctors’ expertise and the actual player.”

McDaniel said Tagovailoa will be evaluated Friday at the team facility.

“We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation,” McDaniel said.

“The best thing I can do is not try to assess what this even means from a football standpoint,” he added.

Tagovailoa, who started all 17 games and led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards last season, was intercepted three times before leaving Thursday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the football against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) exits vs. Bills

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left Thursday night’s game against the visiting Buffalo Bills with a concussion after taking a shot to the head during the third quarter.

Tagovailoa scrambled up the middle to gain a first down on a fourth-and-4 play in the red zone, but instead of sliding, he collided with Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, his head making contact with Hamlin’s arm.

After being attended to by coaches and trainers, Tagovailoa walked off the field with 4:24 remaining in the quarter and was taken straight to the locker room. Skylar Thompson entered the game at quarterback for Miami.

The Dolphins later announced that Tagovailoa had a concussion and would not return to the game.

The 2020 fifth overall draft pick experienced two known concussions during the 2022 season. He went down during a Week 3 game against the Bills, but he supposedly cleared concussion protocol and returned to the game after what the Dolphins termed a back injury.

The Dolphins played the Cincinnati Bengals four days later on “Thursday Night Football,” and after being taken to the ground on a sack, Tagovailoa exhibited a fencing response and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. The fallout led to the firing of the NFL Players Association’s independent neurotrauma consultant and led the league and union to revise their concussion policy.

–Field Level Media

Feb 2, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (30) participates in the AFC versus NFC Pro Bowl practice and media day at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tua Tagovailoa hopes to sign long-term deal with Dolphins

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Friday that he expects to sign a contract extension with the club this offseason.

Tagovailoa spoke about the situation after being quizzed by reporters at the Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Fla.

Tagovailoa is the AFC’s starting quarterback after throwing a career-best 29 touchdown passes and leading the NFL with 4,624 passing yards, also a career high.

“There’s been communication,” Tagovailoa said, according to ESPN. “I think the thing with that right now is I’m just letting the team talk to my agent and let them work that out.”

In March, the Dolphins picked up Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option worth $23.171 million for the 2024 season.

After the Dolphins’ season ended last month with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC wild-card round, Miami general manager Chris Grier indicated that the club’s goal is to keep Tagovailoa with the organization.

Tagovailoa, who turns 26 in March, has passed for 12,639 yards, 81 touchdowns and 37 interceptions in 53 appearances (51 starts) in four seasons since the Dolphins selected him fifth overall in the 2020 draft.

–Field Level Media