Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Optimistic about avoiding concussions
Rotowire
Tagovailoa said Wednesday that he considered retirement this offseason but instead decided to prioritize training that may help him avoid future concussions, the Miami Herald reports.
Tagovailoa noted that doctors told him he isn't at significant risk for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and doesn't have any extra risk of suffering additional concussions. Head injuries limited him to 13 games last season in what was otherwise a breakout campaign, with Tagovailoa throwing 25 touchdowns to only eight interceptions while leading the league in yards per pass attempt (8.9). He'll have a similarly favorable setup this season under second-year head coach Mike McDaniel, with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle forming the fastest wideiout duo in the NFL and having a strong argument to be considered the best. The team's skill-position players look much the same as in 2022 minus tight end Mike Gesicki, whose role had been scaled back under McDaniel in any case.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Fifth-year option exercised
Rotowire
The Dolphins officially picked up Tagovailoa's fifth-year option Monday.
Miami's decision to exercise Tagovailoa's fifth-year option, giving him a guaranteed $23.2 million salary for the 2024 season, is a sign of confidence in the young signal-caller. The 25-year-old excelled in coach Mike McDaniel's system with top receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle before concussions derailed his 2022 campaign, as he led the NFL in passer rating for much of the early part of the season. Tagovailoa has since cleared the concussion protocol, and as Mike Gavin of NBC New York reports, his offseason training thus far has prioritized techniques for avoiding future head injuries. Even with Mike Gesicki having moved to the Patriots in free agency, Tagovailoa looks primed to again lead an explosive offense in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Fifth-year option to be picked up
Rotowire
The Dolphins have informed Tagovailoa that they plan to pick up his fifth-year contract option, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Adam Schefter of ESPN report.
As a result, Tagovailoa is in line to be guaranteed $23.2 million for the 2024 season. By picking up his option, the Dolphins are essentially demonstrating their confidence that the No. 5 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft can effectively helm the team's offense in 2023, and beyond. The 25-year-old is coming off a 2022 campaign in which he was hampered by concussion issues that limited him to 13 contests. Since the conclusion the regular season, however, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN relays that Tagovailoa has cleared the league's concussion protocol, putting the QB in a position to return to football activities once the Dolphins re-take the field.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Clears concussion protocol
Rotowire
Tagovailoa cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol Wednesday, and the Dolphins are confident he'll be 100 percent for their upcoming offseason program and the 2023 season, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Tagovailoa was diagnosed with two confirmed concussions during the 2022 regular season, and the second one -- which occurred against Green Bay on Christmas Day -- ultimately sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. In early January, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said Miami had been told by doctors that Tagovailoa's recent head injuries won't leave him prone to more concussions in the future, so the team feels confident the Alabama product can still be its franchise quarterback moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Won't participate in Pro Bowl Games
Rotowire
Tagovailoa remains in the NFL's concussion protocol and won't participate in next week's Pro Bowl Games, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.
The report notes that Tagovailoa, who had been named a first-alternate Pro Bowler, hasn't experienced any setbacks, but the Dolphins are proceeding deliberately with the QB, with his long-term health in mind. Earlier this month, GM Chris Grier indicated that the franchise will approach the 2023 season with Tagovailoa as its starting signal-caller, based on the belief (via doctors the team has spoken to) that Tagovailoa's past concussions won't leave him more prone to head injuries going forward.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Expected back as starter in 2023
Rotowire
Tagovailoa (concussion) is expected to return as the Dolphins' starting quarterback during the 2023 season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Tagovailoa is already ruled out for Sunday's wild-card game against the Bills as he continues to progress through the concussion protocol. Should Miami advance further in the playoffs, it appears that Tagovailoa could have a chance of gaining full medical clearance and retaking the field, but regardless of Sunday's outcome, the quarterback has now made a decision on his long-term playing future. The 24-year-old hasn't yet been cleared to resume football activities since suffering his second documented concussion of the season in late December, but Schefter reports that medical professionals have advised that Tagovailoa will be able to continue his NFL career when back to full health. For Sunday's wild-card matchup, Skylar Thompson is set to draw another start while Teddy Bridgewater (finger/knee) remains questionable but could be active in a backup capacity.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Not yet cleared for football activity
Rotowire
Coach Mike McDaniel noted Monday that Tagovailoa (concussion) has not yet been cleared for football activity, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.
Louis-Jacques notes that the Dolphins are hoping to have more clarity on the QB's status Wednesday, while adding that Tagovailoa hasn't experienced any setbacks. As the team's playoff opener this coming weekend against the Bills approaches, Tagovailoa's availability remains uncertain, but McDaniel did relay Monday that he believes Teddy Bridgewater, who has been dealing with a finger injury as well as a knee issue, may have been in a position to have entered Sunday's game against the Jets if Week 18 starter Skylar Thompson had been forced to exit the contest.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Ruled out for Week 18
Rotowire
Tagovailoa (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said that Skylar Thompson will draw his second start of the season this weekend as the Dolphins chase down a playoff berth, with Miami needing to beat the Jets and hope the Bills defeat the Patriots in order to punch its ticket to the postseason. Tagovailoa has yet to resume practicing, while Teddy Bridgewater (finger/knee) was limited in practice throughout the week and will be available only in a backup role Sunday if he's cleared to play. If Miami is able to secure a playoff spot, Tagovailoa could be an option to start in the wild-card round if he clears the five-step concussion protocol, but it's not clear where he currently stands in his recovery from the brain injury.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Unlikely to play in Week 18
Rotowire
Head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that he's not even thinking about Tagovailoa (concussion) starting Week 18, suggesting the quarterback is unlikely to suit up Sunday against the Jets, Travis Wingfield of the Dolphins' official site reports.
McDaniel added that he's preparing as if Skylar Thompson and Teddy Bridgewater (finger) will be his top options for the regular-season finale, and that he hasn't even talked with Tagovailoa about when the quarterback will be able to play again, per Adam H. Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com. The coach's comments contradict a report Sunday from Fox's Jay Glazer, who said Tagovailoa plans to play again this season if the Dolphins make the playoffs. Either way, it appears Miami will be without its starting quarterback due to a concussion for yet another contest this year.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Friday that Tagovailoa (concussion) is out for Sunday's game against the Patriots, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com and David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel report.
As a result, Teddy Bridgewater is slated to start at QB for the Dolphins on Sunday, with Tagovailoa still in the NFL's concussion protocol, according to Furones. Per Louis-Jacques, Tagovailoa's status beyond Week 17 has yet to be determined, with McDaniel having declined to put a timetable on the signal-caller's potential return.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Not in line to start Sunday
Rotowire
The Dolphins are preparing Teddy Bridgewater to start Sunday's game against the Patriots after Tagovailoa (concussion) was placed in the protocol for the second time this season, Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com reports.
Head coach Mike McDaniel noted Wednesday that Tagovailoa is being evaluated on a day-to-day basis, while adding that there's no timetable for the quarterback's return to game action. With that in mind, expect Tagovailoa -- who missed two games due to a concussion earlier this season -- to be officially ruled out Friday for the Week 17 contest, with his status beyond this weekend unclear. Rookie Skylar Thompson is likely in line to serve as Bridgewater's backup this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Back in concussion protocol
Rotowire
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday that Tagovailoa is in the NFL's concussion protocol, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
As a result, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald notes that Teddy Bridgewater is slated to get the majority of the Dolphins' quarterback reps Wednesday and Thursday and would be in line to start Sunday against the Patriots if Tagovailoa is unable to progress through the five-step protocol. Per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com, Tagovailoa -- who also was in the protocol earlier this season and missed two games -- met with doctors Monday in the wake of the Dolphins' 26-20 loss to Green Bay on Sunday and was experiencing concussion symptoms.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Falls apart in second half
Rotowire
Tagovailoa completed 16 of 25 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Packers.
It was a tale of two halves for Tagovailoa, who racked up 229 yards and his only TD before halftime but threw for only 81 yards and tossed all three of his picks after the break to squander a 20-13 lead. The third-year quarterback has been picked off in only four of his 13 starts this season, but he's tossed multiple INTs in three of those games, making him a volatile option in Week 17's road game against a Patriots team fighting for its playoff life.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: QBs to Start
Rotowire
Tagovailoa played better than I expected in Week 15 at Buffalo with 21 Fantasy points, which ended his three-game streak of scoring 17 points or less. I'm glad he's back home after three consecutive road games at San Francisco, the Chargers and Buffalo, and the warm weather in South Florida should be welcoming. The Packers have held Justin Fields and Baker Mayfield to under 20 Fantasy points the past two weeks, but prior to that they allowed at least 23 points to Dak Prescott, Ryan Tannehill and Jalen Hurts. I expect Tagovailoa to be in that range, and he's a must-start quarterback once again in all leagues.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Modest performance in close loss
Rotowire
Tagovailoa completed 17 of 30 passes for 234 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Dolphins' 32-29 loss to the Bills on Saturday night. He also rushed once for seven yards and committed a fumble recovered by Miami.
Tagovailoa certainly was more efficient than in his disastrous Week 14 performance against the Chargers, but he still completed only 56.7 percent of his passes in a game that eventually saw the advent of snowy conditions. Tagovailoa's best quarter was the third, when he completed 67- and 20-yard scoring tosses to Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill, respectively. Twelve of Tagovailoa's 17 completions went to the dynamic duo, but the fact Miami couldn't muster any touchdowns during the entirety of the fourth quarter ultimately sunk its chances of offsetting Buffalo's comeback. Tagovailoa next opportunity to bounce back to his previous level of production comes in what is now an especially critical Christmas Day afternoon matchup against the Packers at home in Week 16.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Bust Alert (Start/Sit)
Rotowire
Tagovailoa should have Tyreek Hill (ankle) for his game, but he could also be playing in some bad weather in Buffalo, which is worth keeping an eye on. He also has to face a tough Bills defense, which has held five of their past seven opposing quarterbacks to 19 Fantasy points or less. And for the season, Buffalo is allowing just 14.3 Fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Tagovailoa got hurt in the first game against the Bills in Week 3 but had 186 passing yards and a touchdown before leaving. He's struggling coming into this matchup with three games in a row at 17 Fantasy points or less against Houston, San Francisco and the Chargers, and this sets up for another down game in Week 15 on the road.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Possible Bust (Lineup Decisions)
Rotowire
After Tagovailoa's back-to-back games of being off-target and uncomfortable in the pocket, this might be a good week for the Dolphins to focus on shorter passes and the run game, both of which play into some deficiencies the Bills have had lately. If that happens then Tagovailoa's upside would be capped, but that's been the case in the past THREE weeks anyway. I'm ready to just move past Tagovailoa this week and hope for better results in Week 16 against the Packers. I'd rather start Dak Prescott, Kirk Cousins, Trevor Lawrence and Geno Smith.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Completes just 10 passes
Rotowire
Tagovailoa (ankle) completed 10 of 28 pass attempts for 145 yards and a touchdown while adding 28 yards on three rushing attempts in Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Chargers.
Tagovailoa turned in his worst performance of the season against a Chargers secondary that was without star safety Derwin James (quadriceps). The 24-year-old completed just 36 percent of his passes one week after completing a season-low 55 percent against the 49ers. Tagovailoa was cleared of the minor ankle injury he suffered in Week 13, but perhaps his putrid performance indicates that he wasn't at full strength. On a positive note, the southpaw was able to reincorporate the rushing aspect of his fantasy game after compiling zero rushing yards over his last four games. Tua and the Dolphins will look to rebound in a pivotal AFC East matchup against the Bills on Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: QBs to Start
Rotowire
I was nervous about Tagovailoa last week with left tackle Terron Armstead (pectoral) and right tackle Austin Jackson (ankle) being out at San Francisco, and Tagovailoa struggled with three turnovers (two interceptions) and just 17 Fantasy points. He also hurt his ankle in the loss, but he's expected to play against the Chargers. The offensive line is still a concern for Miami, but I'll go back to Tagovailoa as a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback this week. The Chargers have allowed three quarterbacks in a row (Patrick Mahomes, Kyler Murray and Derek Carr) to score at least 20 Fantasy points, and I expect Tagovailoa to bounce back in a big way in this matchup.
... See More... See Less
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa: Cleared to play Sunday
Rotowire
Tagovailoa (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Chargers after turning in a full practice Friday, David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Tagovailoa was a limited participant at practices Wednesday and Thursday, but after logging every rep Friday, the quarterback cleared up any lingering concern about his ankle injury. He'll have his top two weapons at his disposal Sunday, as Tyreek Hill (illness) and Jaylen Waddle (fibula) also practiced fully Friday and have been cleared to play against Los Angeles.
