MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tua Tagovailoa took to the practice field on Wednesday for the first time since experiencing a concussion during Week 2 of the NFL season. The Miami Dolphins, sitting at a 2-4 record, are hopeful he will be ready to start the upcoming game against Arizona on Sunday.
Although Tagovailoa still needs to navigate the final stages of the NFL’s concussion protocol, his return to practice signifies significant progress. Coach Mike McDaniel expressed optimism about Tagovailoa’s approach to the recovery process and looked forward to a couple of days of productive practice to ensure a smooth clearance to play.
Since suffering his third concussion on September 12, following a hard hit by Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin, Tagovailoa has consulted with several medical professionals specializing in head injuries. According to McDaniel, these specialists have cleared him to return to the field.
In a personal decision, Tagovailoa chose not to wear the Guardian Cap, a soft-shell helmet cover intended for added protection, stating he prefers not to use it. He currently wears a helmet designed specifically for quarterbacks, aimed at minimizing head injuries.
This latest concussion adds to Tagovailoa’s history; he faced two concussions last season, the second of which left him briefly unconscious, along with a separate, unreported hard hit. These incidents have fueled ongoing discussions about his health and prompted revisions to the NFL’s concussion protocols.
“I appreciate your concern, I really do,” Tagovailoa remarked about the ongoing debates regarding his health. “I love this game, and I love it to the death of me, that’s it.” While he did not suggest that this recent concussion would drastically alter his approach to the sport, he emphasized the need to play intelligently.
Tagovailoa explained, “Throughout my entire football career, I’ve always been a competitor. That competitive spirit drove me to run during games, right from high school to college. However, this is the professional level, and I need to ensure I’m available for the team, the organization, and my teammates.”
In other roster news, the Dolphins signed veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard to their practice squad on Wednesday, also adding wide receiver Tarik Black while releasing tight end Hayden Rucci from the practice squad. Quarterback Tyler Huntley, who had been starting in previous games, is unlikely to play on Sunday due to a shoulder injury. McDaniel indicated he will assess the performances of Beathard, Tim Boyle, and Skylar Thompson in practice before deciding on the backup quarterback position.