Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Consultation with expert on deck
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Tagovailoa (concussion) is scheduled for an "expert consultation" during the team's Week 6 bye, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports.
McDaniel said "everything is so far so good" with regard to the franchise quarterback's recovery progress, though he noted "the final stages of protocol won't be achieved until we bring [Tagovailoa] back off IR." Tagovailoa won't be eligible to come off IR until Week 8 at the earliest, positioning Tyler Huntley to remain Miami's starter in the interim, including at least for the team's game against the Colts in Week 7. Tagovailoa had initial meetings with neurologists in early October and is reportedly symptom free. Assuming his recovery continues to progress without any setbacks, it sounds like the Dolphins will plan for him to return to the starting lineup this season. A clear timetable for Tagovailoa's return to practice remains undisclosed, though.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Free of concussion symptoms
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Tagovailoa (concussion) has been "symptom free" and has met with neurologists, and at this stage, the quarterback hasn't received any feedback that has dissuaded him from continuing his playing career, Adam Schefter reported Monday on ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" program.
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his fourth documented concussion in five years back on Sept. 12, when he collided with the Bills' Damar Hamlin while rushing for a first down. Despite Tagovailoa's troubling history with concussions, he thus far seems to be making good progress in his recovery. After being placed on injured reserve following the Week 2 loss to Buffalo, Tagovailoa won't be eligible to return to the Dolphins' active roster until the team's Week 8 matchup with the Cardinals. Tagovailoa seems like he could be a realistic option to return to option for that game, provided he doesn't take a turn for the worse in his recovery along with the Dolphins being comfortable having him play again.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Meeting with neurologists this week
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that Tagovailoa (concussion) will meet with outside neurologists this week, Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports.
McDaniel said "the plan hasn't changed" with Tagovailoa, which implies that the quarterback remains without a clear timeline to return from injured reserve. As a result of his placement on IR last week, the earliest possible date for the quarterback's return to game action is Oct. 27 versus the Cardinals. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network has reported that Tagovailoa has no plans to retire, but meeting with specialists this week will allow the quarterback to make the most informed decision about his playing future. Meanwhile, with Week 3 fill-in starter Skylar Thompson (ribs) considered day-to-day, Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle could also be in contention to see playing time Week 4 versus the Titans.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Not looking to retire
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Tagovailoa has no plans to retire after suffering his fourth documented concussion in five years in Thursday's 31-10 loss to the Bills, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that he's not putting a timeline on Tagovailoa's return to the field, instead leaving the decision in the hands of the quarterback and his doctors. Though Adam Schefter of ESPN reported earlier Sunday that Tagovailoa is meeting with neurologists this week to get more information about the severity of his latest brain injury and the cumulative effect of the ones he has suffered in the past to make the most informed decision about his future, the quarterback's preference is to continue playing. Tagovailoa's opinion could change depending on the feedback he receives, however, and even if doctors clear him to continue his career, it's uncertain when he might be ready to resume football activities. Skylar Thompson is likely to step in as the Dolphins' quarterback for at least the team's next game Sept. 22 in Seattle.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Meeting with neurologists on tap
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Tagovailoa (concussion) is scheduled to meet with neurologists early this week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
After being diagnosed with a concussion following his early exit from Thursday's 31-10 loss to the Bills, Tagovailoa will seek input from neurologists regarding the severity of his latest brain injury and the cumulative effect of the ones he has suffered in the past to make the most informed decision about his playing future, according to Schefter. The quarterback had previously been diagnosed with two concussions in 2022 and took a third hit to the head that same season that prompted the NFL to alter how concussions are reported and evaluated. Tagovailoa also suffered a concussion during his final collegiate season at Alabama, meaning that he's been diagnosed with four concussions over the past five years. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel didn't comment on Tagovailoa's playing status moving forward, noting that he wants the quarterback to focus on his his health before discussing the possibility of a return. Skylar Thompson is the lone healthy quarterback on Miami's roster and replaced Tagovailoa in Thursday's game, though the Dolphins could explore options outside the organization if Tagovailoa requires a stint on injured reserve.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Coach won't touch recovery timeline
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Coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that the Dolphins won't put a timetable on Tagovailoa's recovery from the concussion that he suffered during Thursday's 31-10 loss to the Bills, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.
Tagovailoa has an extensive concussion history going back to the 2022 season, missing seven combined games (including a playoff contest) due to head injuries. When asked about a possible timeline for the quarterback, McDaniel relayed, "First and foremost, I'm not assessing the injury through the lens of, 'Alright, so what does this mean for him playing?' Really, for me, I know the facts are that it's important that he gets healthy day by day, and in that, the best thing I can do is not try to assess what this even means from a football standpoint." For as long as Tagovailoa is sidelined, Skylar Thompson is in line to lead Miami's offense, beginning Sunday, Sept. 22 at Seattle.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Diagnosed with concussion
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Tagovailoa was diagnosed with a concussion and ruled out from returning after exiting Thursday's game against the Bills.
Tagovailoa was injured late in the third quarter after rushing for a first down and lowering his head into the midsection of Damar Hamlin. He was able to walk off the field under his own power but was quickly diagnosed and ruled out. The Dolphins have 10 days until their Week 3 matchup against Seattle, though Tagovailoa's status will be uncertain -- particularly given his history of concussions.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: QBs to Start
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The Dolphins and Jaguars are projected for 49 points this week in Miami, according to Las Vegas, and we should see a shootout between Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence. Last year, Tagovailoa got off to a great start with at least 20.9 Fantasy points in four of his first six outings, including three games with at least 28.5 points, and Jacksonville was No. 6 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. I like Tagovailoa as a top-10 quarterback in Week 1.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Unlikely to play Friday
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel suggested Wednesdays that Tagovailoa isn't likely to play in Friday's preseason game against Atlanta, Hal Habib of The Palm Beach Post reports.
McDaniel didn't quite commit to holding Tagovailoa out Friday but told assembled media that it wouldn't be surprised by the team's plan for the preseason opener. Tagovailoa was held out of the preseason opener in 2023 before playing in the final two exhibition contests.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Multi-year extension gets done
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Tagovailoa and the Dolphins agreed to terms Friday on a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Tagovailoa and Miami spent much of the offseason wrapped up in negotiations for a long-term extension, and the 2020 first-round pick now gets a multi-year commitment and large payday from the franchise that once selected him fifth overall. While awaiting a new deal, Tagovailoa only practiced partially at training camp, but Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network reports that he returned as a full participant Friday. Since pairing with head coach Mike McDaniel, Tagovailoa has transformed into one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL and taken full advantage of having stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle headlining his wide receiver corps. The 26-year-old is coming off the first full season of his four-year career, a 2023 campaign in which he led the league with 4,624 passing yards while throwing 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, with his 8.3 YPA ranking second in the NFL. The additions of No. 3 receiver Odell Beckham (undisclosed) and TE Jonnu Smith, plus another year of growth in McDaniel's offensive scheme, could provide enough fuel for Tagovailoa to take yet another step forward during the 2024 campaign.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Present for start of OTAs
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Tagovailoa is present for the start of OTAs on Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.
Tagovailoa was recently reported to have missed a notable amount of Miami's offseason work amid ongoing talks about a contract extension, but the 26-year-old quarterback is in the building to kick off the start of OTAs. It appears that both Tagovailoa and the Dolphins' organization are confident that an extension will get done prior to the start of the regular season, so unless things stall on that front there shouldn't be too many concerns about the quarterback's offseason participation. Currently, Tagovailoa is slated to play out the 2024 campaign on his fifth-year option. He played a full 17 regular-season games last year for the first time in his career, achieving new highs with 4,624 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Optimism about extension
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Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that he "absolutely" wants Tagovailoa to sign a contract extension this offseason, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.
The lefty quarterback is set to play out the 2024 season under the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, after leading the league in yards per attempt in 2022 (8.9) and total passing yards in 2023 (4,624). Tagovailoa hasn't quite progressed to fantasy stardom despite his success, as he doesn't offer much in the way of rushing production, missed four games in 2022 and then saw Miami running backs rush for 27 of the team's 57 offensive touchdowns in 2023. He still has a path to QB1 value -- at least on the low end -- while throwing passes to elite receiving talents in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in one of the NFL's best-designed offenses. Early reports suggest both the Dolphins and Tagovailoa expect an extension to get done this offseason.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Underwhelms in season-ending loss
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Tagovailoa completed 20 of 39 passes for 199 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Dolphins' 26-7 wild-card loss to the Chiefs on Saturday night. He also rushed three times for 25 yards.
Tagovailoa came into the game with plenty of questions hanging over him in terms of his ability to thrive in cold weather, and he unfortunately did little to dispel the narrative. The 2020 first-round pick bore little resemblance to the prolific passer he was most of his career-best season, one in which he set new personal bests with 4,624 passing yards, a 69.3 percent completion rate and 29 touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. Tagovailoa also put together five 300-yard efforts, including a 466-yard tally versus the Chargers in Week 1, and he'll now head into a pivotal offseason where a contract extension figures to be of utmost priority, with the final year of his current deal looming in 2024.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Offense sputters for three quarters
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Tagovailoa (quadriceps/shoulder) completed 17 of 27 pass attempts for 173 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Bills.
Tagovailoa started and ended Miami's nine offensive possessions with drive-killing interceptions as the Dolphins slid back into the final wild-card spot while the Bills crowned themselves as AFC East champs. The bulk of Tagovailoa's meager fantasy production came over the course of two methodical touchdown drives in the second quarter. Outside of that, every other offensive drive for the Dolphins ended in either a punt or an interception. Tagovailoa has now thrown four picks over his last two games, matching his total thrown over his previous eight contests combined. The Alabama product finishes the 2023 regular season completing 69 percent of his passes for a league-leading 4,624 passing yards to go along with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Tagovailoa will attempt to end his recent slump when the Dolphins visit the Chiefs on Saturday for the start of the playoffs.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: QBs to Sit
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Tagovailoa has scored 18.9 Fantasy points or less in four games in a row, and now he's dealing with a shoulder injury coming into Week 18. His offensive line is a mess, Jaylen Waddle (ankle) is banged up and Tagovailoa only scored 15.9 Fantasy points at Buffalo in Week 4. He only has one game with at least 20 Fantasy points against the Bills in six career meetings, and Buffalo has held four quarterbacks in a row to 17.1 Fantasy points or less, including Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott over that span. I don't have high expectations for Tagovailoa in Week 18.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Good to go for Week 18
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Tagovailoa (quadriceps/left shoulder) was a full participant in practice Wednesday, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.
Tagovailoa experienced some shoulder soreness during this past Sunday's 56-19 loss to the Ravens in addition to a quad injury, but neither issue is significant enough to threaten his availability for Sunday's home game against the Bills. A win Sunday would clinch the AFC East crown and the No. 2 seed in the AFC for the Dolphins.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Downplays shoulder soreness
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Following Sunday's 56-19 loss to the Ravens, Tagovailoa downplayed the left shoulder issue he sustained during the contest, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN reports.
During his postgame news conference, Tagovailoa noted that his "shoulder's good. Just sore." Based on the signal-caller's comments Sunday, it appears as though his status for next weekend's game against the Bills isn't in danger. That said, there's a pretty good chance Tagovailoa ends up listed on Miami's Week 18 injury report.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Will start Week 17
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Tagovailoa (thumb/quadriceps) will start Sunday's game against the Ravens, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
Tagovailoa's practice participation during the week was limited by the pair of injuries, but he'll be out there for Sunday's pivotal clash. With a win in Baltimore, the 11-4 Dolphins would take over as the top seed in the AFC, but a loss could open the door for the Bills to win the AFC East, as Miami hosts Buffalo in Week 18 and has already lost once to the Bills this season. Tagovailoa will be working without his second-favorite target Sunday, as Jaylen Waddle (ankle) has been ruled out.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Limited in practice
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Tagovailoa was a limited participant in practice Wednesday due to left thumb and quadricep injuries, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
His ability to practice in any capacity at the beginning of the week suggests neither injury represents a serious threat to Tagovailoa's availability for a home game against Baltimore on Sunday. Assuming Tagovailoa is good to go Sunday, he could be without one of his top weapons in Jaylen Waddle (ankle), who didn't practice Wednesday and may be in danger of sitting out this weekend.
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Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: QBs to Start
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I didn't like Tagovailoa in Week 15 with his matchup against the Jets, and he scored just 14.9 Fantasy points. He's now been under 15 Fantasy points in three of his past four games. Tyreek Hill (ankle) didn't play against the Jets, but he's expected to return in Week 16 against the Cowboys, which is fantastic in a potential shootout. This isn't an easy matchup since Dallas just held Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen to a combined 26.8 Fantasy points in the past two weeks. But I'll take my chances with Tagovailoa at home, where he's scored at least 20.9 Fantasy points in five of seven starts this season.
