Key QB injury update provided for Dolphins-Chargers game

The Miami Dolphins haven’t been on the right side of a lot of positive injury updates this season, but fans can breathe a sigh of relief after the latest news on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s status for Sunday’s game.

Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith went on record as saying that he expects Tagovailoa to start against the Los Angeles Chargers and not be held back in that game by his injuries.

It’s great that Tagovailoa should be good to go on Sunday, but some fans may want to see for themselves whether he will be hindered by his injuries. After all, Tagovailoa’s thumb injury is on his left hand, and considering he’s a lefty, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that his passing accuracy could be negatively impacted as a result. The 27-year-old has had some issues with making precise passes this season already, as he threw four interceptions in his first three starts alone.

Plus, hip trouble has sidelined him in the past. He sat out Miami’s final two contests of the 2024 season with a hip injury and was limited to 11 games played overall that season, due partly to a concussion.

The Dolphins are already facing incredibly long odds to qualify for the playoffs, but if they want even a sliver of hope of getting back in the picture, they probably need Tagovailoa to lead them to a victory on Sunday. A loss to the Chargers would drop Miami to 1-5 on the season. Only four teams in NFL history have made the playoffs after losing five of their first six games.

With any luck, Tagovailoa won’t look hampered by his injuries at all on Sunday, and he will put together a standout passing performance in a statement win for a Dolphins team that is desperate to get back in the win column. If Miami can get by the Chargers, the team will have a couple of manageable matchups in the weeks to follow.