MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins showcased their offensive capabilities in the previous NFL season with Tua Tagovailoa at the helm. However, this year has been a different story, as the team has struggled due to Tagovailoa’s absence from the lineup because of a concussion. As a result, the Dolphins fell to the bottom tier in scoring.
Despite his return on Sunday, the Dolphins (2-5) could not secure a victory, narrowly losing 28-27 to the Arizona Cardinals. Tagovailoa, age 26, managed to complete 28 of 38 passes for 227 yards and threw one touchdown, helping Miami achieve its highest score of the season. “It feels good to be back out there with my teammates, hoping to revive our offensive momentum,” Tagovailoa expressed. “The result was unfortunate against a strong opponent, but playing today felt fulfilling.”
Tagovailoa’s year has been challenging due to a concussion sustained during a scramble when he collided with Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin on September 12. His absence lasted four games, during which the Dolphins recorded only one win, alternating between three different quarterbacks.
In a noteworthy moment during this latest game, Tagovailoa had another chance to scramble for yards midway through the third quarter. This time, however, he opted for a slide instead of facing potential injury, ending his run after a respectable 13 yards and earning his team a first down at the Arizona 9-yard line. “I’m trying to evade serious hits,” he commented. “Though there are times where avoiding them is not possible, particularly when a defender is unblocked and you need to make a throw.”
Following that play, the crowd erupted in cheers, chanting his name. “That was quite an experience,” Tagovailoa remarked. “Anyone in my position would find that amazing.” He later capped off the drive by throwing a 12-yard touchdown to De’Von Achane, bringing the Dolphins ahead 20-10.
In Tagovailoa’s absence, the Dolphins struggled to reach 20 points in any game, leading to significant declines in performance from star wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jalen Waddle, who played under backup quarterbacks Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, and Tim Boyle.
However, on Sunday, both receivers made an impact once again. Hill recorded six receptions for 72 yards, while Waddle had four catches for 45 yards, marking a turnaround in their fortunes. Hill’s longest catch of the day was a 30-yarder in the second quarter, his best since an 80-yard touchdown in the season opener against Jacksonville. Hill praised Tagovailoa’s return: “He came back and reinvigorated the offense, which was a beautiful sight.”
Yet, the road ahead for the Dolphins to secure a playoff spot remains daunting. Their upcoming match is against the AFC East leaders, the Buffalo Bills. “We just need to keep pushing forward, that’s all there is to it,” Tagovailoa stated. “We don’t look for external motivation; we find it within. Trusting each other, relying on one another, and believing in our team are the ways we will face the challenges ahead.”