Tua Tagovailoa is formally, officially, completely back.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback has not only cleared concussion protocol, but he is now back on the Dolphins’ active roster. Miami activated him off injured reserve on Saturday, clearing the final procedural hurdle to get their QB1 back on the field.
The news came after the Dolphins (2-4) got a long look at Tagovailoa in practice this week. After being limited on Wednesday, he participated fully on Thursday and Friday.
And if there was any lingering doubt about his availability, it ended when he took the field for pre-game warmups, going through his normal early routine with Dolphins QBs coach Darrell Bevell at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday.
What Happened to Tua Tagovailoa?
Tagovailoa suffered his fourth diagnosed concussion on Sept. 12 when colliding with Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin in a Week 2 game.
Due to Tua’s long history of head injuries, the Dolphins placed Tagovailoa on injured reserve — even though he told reporters this week that he’s been symptom-free since Sept. 13.
Very pixilated Tua pic.twitter.com/dHBQEUR0wl
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley)
“I think he’s done an outstanding job not doing anything but controlling what he can control, so in that he’s put his best foot forward to take care of himself, as well to be the leader of this football team just in a different way,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
“He’s been fully engaged, but he’s also become very aware that he is not interested in becoming a coach anytime soon, that his love is playing football. I think he’s eager, as everybody is. I think if you had any questions about how valuable he is, I think it’s pretty obvious. I think the team is excited to play football and have him be a part of it. He’s excited to play with his teammates and I’m very happy for all of those involved, but yeah, pretty eager.”
When Will Tagovailoa Return From His Injury?
While Tagovaila had a questionable injury designation entering the weekend, that was more procedural than a red flag. Even though he practiced in full on Friday, Tua needs an injury status as he was still officially in the concussion protocol.
The Dolphins’ 2024 season will get a lifeline Sunday when Tagovailoa is in Miami’s huddle for the first time since the Bills’ loss. They had lost three out of four games without him and entered Week 8 as the AFC’s 10th seed.
When Tagovailoa returned to practice this week, he was in Phase 4 of the NFL’s five-phase concussion protocol — Club-Based Non-Contact Training Drills.
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
For a quarterback, there’s little functional difference during practice between that and what Tua did on Wednesday. Quarterbacks are rarely subject to contact. However, he still needed clearance from both a club physician and the independent neurological consultant for full-contact activity in order to play on Sunday.
That came late in the week. The Dolphins safely simulated contact so Tagovailoa could check the necessary box. Then, after one last clearance from the independent neurologist and team doctors, he formally cleared the protocol.
Tagovailoa met with some of the country’s top experts over the last six weeks. None of them recommended he retire from the game. His decision to resume his career is a decision he made with his doctors and family.
Miami Dolphins’ QB Depth Chart
The Dolphins are doubly thankful to have Tagovailoa, considering their backup quarterback situation has been — and continues to be — a mess.
Tyler Huntley has started the last three games but will not play due to a shoulder injury, and Tim Boyle was cut Saturday to make room for Tagovailoa.
This means the Dolphins’ quarterback depth chart is back where it was at the start of the season:
- Tua Tagovailoa as QB1
- Skylar Thompson as QB2
Recently added C.J. Beathard will remain on the Dolphins’ practice squad at least this week.
