No special measures for Tua Tagovailoa as Miami Dolphins declare pathway for quarterback’s concussion return
Tua Tagovailoa is ready to step back on the field.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced the team is designating Tagovailoa to return from injured reserve and will have the chance to practice on Wednesday.
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Tagovailoa still needs to pass the concussion protocol, but if all goes well, he may start on Sunday against the Cardinals.
The Miami franchise quarterback suffered his third concussion in two years in the Dolphins’ Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, prompting calls for him to retire.
Tagovailoa told the media on Monday that he’s been symptom free since the day after the game and never considered retirement.
He also said he will not wear a Guardian cap upon his return, citing that it’s a ‘personal choice.’
When asked what he would say to those who are concerned about his health, Tagovailoa offered his appreciation, but said the game means to much to him.
“I appreciate your concern,” Tagovailoa said.
“I really do. I love this game. And I love it to the death of me. That’s it.”
He even took it a step further and likened the risks of playing football with the risks of leaving one’s house.
“How much risk do we take when we get up in the morning and drive to work?” Tagovailoa questioned.
“You can get in a car accident… there is risk in anything and everything. I’m willing to play odds.”
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When asked if he would change the way he plays the game, Tagovailoa said he just needs to be smarter.
“Just got to be smart, that’s it,” Tagovailoa said.
“My entire time playing football I’ve been a competitor… definitely got to stay more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys.”
The Dolphins, sitting at 2-4, have looked dreadful since Tagovailoa went down.
McDaniel’s squad has averaged a pedestrian ten points per game since Week 2 and their top two wide receivers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, have not gone over 70 receiving yards since Week 1.
In other words, Tagovailoa can’t return fast enough.
He’s ready to return to help his team and made it clear that he does not want to be known for his head injuries.
“Do I want to be known for this? No, I don’t,” Tagovailoa said.
“But those are the cards I’ve been dealt. … I hate that it happened, but we don’t look at boxers the same way, we don’t look at hockey players the same way.”
Unfortunately for Tagovailoa, those are the cards he’s been dealt with, but there is still time for the 26-year-old quarterback to change his story.
A story that everyone hopes doesn’t involve any more head injuries.
