Everything we know about Tua Tagovailoa’s future amid latest reporting on Dolphins quarterback

The latest reporting on Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has given folks some insight regarding his future in the NFL.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Tagovailoa does not intend to retire from the league just days after he suffered his most recent concussion in a game against the Buffalo Bills.

“Tua Tagovailoa and his doctors will be making the decisions about his playing, his health,” Rapoport said. “They will be driving the process. My understanding is that Tua Tagovailoa has no plans to retire. No plans to retire — in fact, his eyes are already on returning to the football field. As far as when that goes, we simply do not know.

“Every concussion is different. The way every player responds to a concussion is different. He will be healthy enough to play when he is healthy enough to play and when he and his doctors decide that. That said, he has already begun the process of seeing concussion specialists, as he did in 2022. Wouldn’t be surprised if he saw the same doctors.

“The goal is to get on the field when he is ready. … As far as the football goes, wouldn’t be surprised if he misses multiple games.”

Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network also indicated that Tagovailoa isn’t going to let the public dictate when he will be back on the field with the Dolphins.

A report from ESPN also offered some insight into Tagovailoa’s situation.

“Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered another concussion during his team’s Thursday night game against Buffalo, is scheduled to meet early this week with neurologists, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter,” ESPN reported.

“Tagovailoa will be seeking their input into the severity of his latest concussion and the cumulative effect of the ones he has suffered in the past to make the most informed decision about his future, sources said. He has no plans to retire prior to meeting with the neurologists, according to sources.”

While some of the reports going around have some slight differences and nuances, the bottom line seems to be that Tagovailoa currently intends to continue his NFL career.

Tagovailoa suffered the concussion in question in just the Dolphins’ second game of the 2024 regular season. He played in Miami’s season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sept. 8 and played much better than he did against Buffalo.

In the opener, the former University of Alabama standout totaled 338 passing yards and one passing touchdown without registering a single interception. Against the Bills, he was less effective. Tagovailoa threw for only 145 yards and totaled three interceptions compared to one touchdown in a game the Dolphins lost by a score of 31-10.

Considering Tagovailoa is sidelined without a clear timeline to return, the Dolphins are going to need someone to deliver as an adequate short-term replacement at the quarterback position, and Skylar Thompson appears to be the next man up.

Thompson logged seven appearances and two starts with the Dolphins during the 2022 regular season and totaled 534 passing yards, one passing touchdown and three interceptions.

Thompson also played in Miami’s loss to the Bills on Thursday and totaled 80 passing yards while completing eight of his 14 passing attempts.

He is seemingly on track to get the start for the Dolphins in the team’s next game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 22 in what will be a road game for Miami.