MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Dolphins’ quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is anticipated to be sidelined for a second consecutive game when Miami takes on the New York Jets this Sunday, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. The upcoming matchup holds significant playoff consequences for the team.
In Tagovailoa’s absence, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley is set to take the helm as the starting quarterback, having successfully guided Miami to victory last week when filling in for Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa is still grappling with a right hip injury sustained during a game against Houston on December 15. The injury worsened following a hit in the following week’s matchup against San Francisco. Coach McDaniel remarked, “The way I handled the week seems to have been wise.” He had Huntley participating in more practice sessions than Tagovailoa, stating, “I consider it unlikely that Tua will be on the field.”
Expressing his frustration, Tagovailoa commented on Friday about missing out on the critical regular-season finale, indicating that he was eager to play last week against Cleveland but was ultimately advised by medical personnel to allow additional healing time for his injury. He stated, “If things progress the way we anticipate, I will definitely be available next week.”
The Dolphins remain in contention for the last AFC wild-card slot, requiring a victory against the Jets while simultaneously hoping for a Denver loss to Kansas City, which plans to rest many of its starters and start Carson Wentz at quarterback.
Tagovailoa shared the challenges of sitting out during such an important stage in the season, saying, “It’s difficult for any competitor to watch when they know they can contribute more. But it speaks to the level of trust and respect we have for Snoop.”
Last week, Huntley performed impressively, completing 22 out of 26 passes for 225 yards, along with one touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown against Cleveland. McDaniel acknowledged that there has been some healing since last week, although the progress hasn’t been as quick as desired. Initially, Tagovailoa was declared unfit to play due to safety concerns related to his condition.
When asked about the risks of further injury if he were to return to the field, Tagovailoa admitted uncertainty, saying, “I can’t say anything could be worse than the current situation. But ultimately, the medical advice I’m getting is that it’s best I sit out right now.”
McDaniel noted that Tagovailoa’s injury is not straightforward and differs from a typical bruise, updating that Tagovailoa’s bone is intact. “A bruise involves pain tolerance, and Tua wishes it were simply that. In reality, it’s about strength and ensuring he can protect himself from more severe injury without proper treatment,” said McDaniel. He highlighted that the injury is somewhat unique, involving muscle-related issues rather than a bruise.
Furthermore, McDaniel emphasized that surgery is not a feasible option at this time. Tagovailoa previously underwent hip surgery in 2019 when he dislocated his right hip while playing at Alabama, which cut his college season short. “It’s not something that can be resolved through surgery. It’s more about halting any aggravation and focusing on regaining security and strength.”
As for Tagovailoa’s performance this season, he concludes with 11 starts, the lowest since his rookie year when he started nine games. He amassed 2,867 passing yards, completed 72.9% of his passes—a personal best—and recorded 19 touchdown passes with seven interceptions. Since he entered the NFL in 2020, he has only completed one full season, which was this year. In 2023, he topped the NFL in passing yards and achieved 29 touchdowns, leading to a significant four-year, $212 million contract extension earlier this offseason.
Tagovailoa spent a portion of this season on injured reserve due to a concussion suffered during a Week 2 scramble against the Buffalo Bills. He has also dealt with two concussions in 2022, one of which led to a temporary loss of consciousness, resulting in a total of four missed games, including one playoff game. In 2021, he fractured several ribs in a game against Buffalo, which led to a three-game absence.
Looking ahead, Tagovailoa expressed intentions to seek methods to enhance his protection on the field. “The concussions have been significant. Along with that, other injuries have compounded, leading to missed games. It’s frustrating, and I need to consider this for myself moving forward to ensure I can stay available for more than one season.”
