MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — When Miami Dolphins players reconvened Monday after a long weekend, they were thrilled to see Tua Tagovailoa back in the building after suffering his fourth diagnosed concussion in five years four days prior.
Tua won’t play Sunday in Seattle. But it would be foolish to rule anything out beyond that, including the Dolphins’ Week 4 game against the Tennessee Titans, given what we heard from his coach and teammates Monday.
UPDATE (Sept. 17): The Miami Dolphins are placing Tagovailoa on injured reserve, which will keep him out at least the next four games.
Miami Dolphins Provide Tua Tagovailoa Injury Update
“He seems happy,” Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler said.
Added coach Mike McDaniel: “He’s downstairs today, smiling with his teammates. He’s working with trainers and medical staff diligently. As far as I’m concerned, you’re in the protocol, and I think he’s doing well today and we take it day by day.
“He was feeling good, but what does that mean in terms of a medical diagnosis? I don’t base my judgments on my interactions with him, necessarily, as much as it is hearing the end result of the medical examination and where he where he’s at. It was good to see him. And I know his teammates were pumped to see him.”
So what’s next for Tagovailoa, beyond progressing through the NFL’s five-step concussion protocol?
Appointments with independent specialists outside of what the team and league provide to ensure he is not putting himself at long-term risk by resuming his career.
“I think it’s [an] utmost priority of mine for Tua to speak on his career,” McDaniel said when asked about an NFL Media report from Sunday that stated Tagovailoa wants to continue playing. “I think reports are reports. As far as I’m concerned, I’m just worried about the human being and where that’s at, day to day. I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career and speak on that.”
The Dolphins as of Monday weren’t even sure at this point if Tagovailoa will have to miss four games, which is what placing him on injured reserve would guarantee.
“Not enough information quite yet,” McDaniel said. “That’s going to be driven by, you know, medical experts. And then, you know, when we get the appropriate information and discuss with Tua, then [general manager] Chris [Grier] and I can discuss that. Not quite ready to make a distinction on that so that could or couldn’t. We’ll see in the next coming days.”
Added Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Tagovailoa’s oldest friend on the team:
“It’s always sad when you see your guy go down like that. But we play a dangerous game, man. I think that the whole world gets to see how dangerous this game is and how everybody puts their body on the line week in and week out.”