MIAMI GARDENS , Fla. — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa can return to practice in two weeks, and based on Mike McDaniel’s comments Monday, he seems on track to do just that.
The Dolphins are on a bye this week. After that, Tagovailoa must sit out at least one more game due to the NFL’s injured reserve rules.
And while he cannot technically pass the concussion protocol until he practices that following week, there’s a real chance he’s in the lineup when the Dolphins host the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8.
Tua Tagovailoa Injury Update
That’s still another 20 days off — which to put into perspective, is just five days fewer than since he suffered his latest concussion. In other words, he still has all kinds of time to let his brain settle and ensure a safe return to football.
To be clear, this is part informed supposition based on contextual clues.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is determined not to subject Tagovailoa to any sort of timeline, but he did reveal some important details on his QB1’s recovery during his Monday news conference.
Tagovailoa will spend his bye week consulting with experts about his health. Reading between the lines, if those meetings go well, the Dolphins will likely open his practice window after the team’s Week 7 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
And if that week goes as planned, he can come out of the protocol and return to game action. The NFL said last week that it will defer to independent and team doctors and will not step in to prevent Tagovailoa from playing.
PFN asked McDaniel if any of the experts involved have told Tua that he needs more time to recover, regardless of when he clears protocol.
The Dolphins coach’s response?
“Nothing negative so far, but we’re still in the process.”
Assuming Tagovailoa can return in time for the last half of the season, he would provide an enormous lift to a Dolphins offense that has not scored more than 15 points since the season opener.
The Dolphins posted a positive EPA once in 10 games without Tua Tagovailoa as a starter since 2021. In their Week 3 loss, they posted a -25.2 EPA.😳 pic.twitter.com/mvF94LqhUz
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) September 30, 2024
Entering Monday’s action, Miami ranked 23rd in passing yards (185.6 yards per game),26th in yards per play (5.8), and 27th in third-down conversion rate (30.3%)
The Dolphins’ plan is to have Snoop Huntley start for the third straight game when they face the Colts after the bye. McDaniel said Huntley went from managing the offense to executing it in his second start for the Dolphins.
More Miami Dolphins Injury News
Safety Jevón Holland is week-to-week after breaking a bone in his hands, said McDaniel, who didn’t rule out Holland playing with a cast.
Running back De’Von Achane is in the concussion protocol but will benefit from an extra week off.
Finally, safety Jordan Poyer (shin) is making encouraging progress and seems likely to play in Week 7.