Tua Tagovailoa is on track to return for the Miami Dolphins after missing multiple weeks with a concussion. On Monday, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters the team is designating the quarterback to return from injured reserve, via ESPN.
Tagovailoa, who still needs to clear concussion protocol in order to play in their Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals, will practice with the team Wednesday, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones.
Week 8 marks the earliest time Tagovailoa could return from injured reserve as the Dolphins open his 21-day practice window.
"I've been symptom-free since the next day [after the concussion]," Tagovailoa said, adding that experts told him extended rest would help.
He said by placing him on IR, "I think [the Dolphins] did what was best in terms of protecting myself from myself."
The 26-year-old was diagnosed with his fourth documented concussion in five years during the Dolphins' Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills. He collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin while rushing for a first down, and after showing signs of a concussion following the play, was ruled out for the remainder of the game as he entered concussion protocol.
Tagovailoa met with neurologists during his time on injured reserve. There was outside concern about his long-term health given his history with concussions, leading to questions as to whether he would ever play again, or make a decision to retire. The former first-round pick reportedly wanted to continue playing.
Throughout the recovery process, McDaniel hadn't said too much regarding a timeline. Last week was the first time he acknowledged that he expected Tagovailoa would play again this season.
"I wasn't paying attention to any of it," Tagovailoa said when asked if he heard any of the outside calls for him to retire. "None of it."
Tagovailoa was also asked if he will alter his playing style moving forward.
"Just got to be smart, that's it," he said. "Just got to be smart. 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. But it's a professional setting; this is the professional level, the best of the best, you just cant be doing that. So definitely got to stay more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys."
Before going down with a concussion, Tagovailoa had 483 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The Dolphins are currently 2-4 and struggling mightily on offense, and desperately need their starting quarterback back. Tagovailoa's return will certainly help, but he is not going to put any added pressure on himself regarding the Dolphins' current state.
"I don't think for myself I put any pressure on myself coming back and having to save the team," he said. "I think what we have to do is we've got to look at this past game, all 11 guys on the field, were we given an opportunity with the plays that were called to score on every drive? And if we can say yes, then we can look at ourselves and see what we can do to get better moving forward."
