Some people within the Miami Dolphins organization reportedly are concerned about quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s health due to the head injuries he has suffered.
According to the Sun Sentinel’s Dave Hyde, the Dolphins haven’t been completely honest with the public about the issue.
“This leads to another uncomfortable lie the Dolphins have played this offseason: That they aren’t very worried about Tagovailoa’s health from his three, on-field head traumas,” Hyde wrote.
“Some inside the franchise are seriously worried, a source said. Why wouldn’t they be?”
The Dolphins took Tagovailoa with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they have stood by him through his first three seasons in the league. However, Tagovailoa suffered two confirmed concussions last season, with the second one knocking him out for the final stretch of the campaign, including the team’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills.
Despite the injuries, Tagovailoa threw for 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 13 games during the regular season. It was an impressive season for him in many ways, but Miami was forced to use Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson much more than it would have liked.
It’s possible the team will make a move for a quarterback with fewer injury concerns, especially since the Dolphins showed last season that they are a playoff-caliber team when healthy.
CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson recently reported that the Dolphins are “exploring all of their options” at quarterback, which could mean that Tagovailoa’s status as the team’s starter isn’t as safe as it may have seemed.
With Tagovailoa entering his fourth season in the NFL, the Dolphins have a decision to eventually make regarding his fifth-year option. If Miami isn’t comfortable committing to him for the long haul, it may be better off looking to get a replacement now instead of paying Tagovailoa a hefty sum beyond the 2023 season.
It’s unfortunate that injuries have become the main concern around Tagovailoa because he played well in the 2022 campaign. With Tyreek Hill added to the roster, Tagovailoa led the NFL in yards gained per pass attempt and yards gained per pass completion.
Until Miami makes a move, he is going to be the team’s starting quarterback, but it is appearing more and more likely that the Dolphins aren’t sold on Tagovailoa being the quarterback of the future.
