Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals, and the injury was extremely scary to watch, as he had to be stretchered off the field.
This is a disaster. Pray for Tua. Fire the medical staffs and coaches. I predicted this and I hate that I am right. Two concussions in 5 days can kill someone. This can end careers. How are we so stupid in 2022. pic.twitter.com/D8S8eEbgda
— Chris Nowinski, Ph.D. (@ChrisNowinski1) September 30, 2022
The Dolphins did get good news on Tagovailoa following the game, as he was outside the team’s locker room and was talking and smiling. Regardless, the Dolphins need to be careful with Tagovailoa’s long-term health, and head coach Mike McDaniel explained that is the main focus going forward.
Tagovailoa told McDaniel that he doesn’t want to miss any games with the injury, but McDaniel said he told the quarterback to think about his head and his own health before even considering worrying about the Dolphins’ next game.
Mike McDaniel said he talked to Tua today and said Tua was saying he didn’t want to miss games. McDaniel said, “Don’t even think about a game. Let’s just think about doing everything the right way, to listen, to get opinions that you need and let’s worry about you and your head.”
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) September 30, 2022
It’s nice to see McDaniel looking out for Tagovailoa, as it was already questionable that the team allowed him to play in Week 4 against Cincinnati on a short week. Tagovailoa was injured in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills, and although he returned to that game, it looked like he had suffered a head injury in that matchup as well.
You hate to see this for Tua. He has shut up the haters with his play and was battling toe to toe with the vaunted Buffalo Bills and MVP favorite Josh Allen. Praying for his health and for a full recovery from this. pic.twitter.com/1OV8Sq8ocj
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 25, 2022
If Tagovailoa does miss time, and it’s likely that he will given how scary Thursday’s injury was, Teddy Bridgewater would take over as the Dolphins’ quarterback in his place.
Bridgewater completed 14 of his 23 passes on Thursday for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Bridgewater has ample experience as a starter in the NFL, most recently starting for the Denver Broncos in the 2021 season.
Tagovailoa has played well for the Dolphins this season, completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Dolphins are currently 3-1, but the health of Tagovailoa has to take precedence for the franchise going forward. Even if Tagovailoa wants to play in the Dolphins’ next game, it appears McDaniel will be very cautious with allowing his quarterback to get back on the field.
The Dolphins are scheduled to take on the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 9 in Week 5 of the NFL season.
