Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will miss at least the next four games as he recovers from his fourth diagnosed concussion in five years.
The Dolphins officially placed Tagovailoa on injured reserve Tuesday. That means he’s out for at least the next four games. The soonest Tua can return to action is Oct. 27, when the Dolphins host the Arizona Cardinals.
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Headed to Injured Reserve
Until then, the Dolphins’ QB1 job belongs to Skylar Thompson — for as long as he can keep it. The Dolphins on Tuesday formally poached Tyler Huntley from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. He’ll begin his time with the Dolphins as Thompson’s backup, but that depth chart could change based on performance.
Tagovailoa will miss games against the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, and Indianapolis Colts. Those four games, plus the team’s Week 6 bye, give Tua a long runway to get healthy.
It also gives him a chance to get all the necessary information from both team and league doctors and independent specialists. It also reduces the risk of recurrence.
Research shows that players are at the highest risk of suffering another concussion in the days and weeks that immediately follow the last. If Tagaovailoa does indeed return as early as NFL rules permit, it’ll be 45 days after he suffered his latest brain injury.
Tagovailoa has still not said publicly that he intends to play again, but all signs suggest that he will when all sides agree he should.
Tagovailoa was back at Dolphins HQ on Monday just four days after getting hurt. His mood? Upbeat.
“He was downstairs today smiling with his teammates,” McDaniel said Monday.
“He’s working with the trainers and medical staff diligently, and 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’s at. It was good to see him and I know his teammates were pumped to see him.”
- The Dolphins made two other roster moves Tuesday, cutting wide receiver Robbie Chosen from and adding offensive tackle Jackson Carman to their practice squad.