The Miami Dolphins have delivered the news fans have eagerly awaited: Tua Tagovailoa has passed concussion protocols and will start this Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Rumors had been circulating for weeks that Tua would be back, but Miami kept the information under wraps despite widespread speculation. With limited alternatives and Tua evidently fit, this move was anticipated.
Earlier in the week, Tua resumed practice, reconnecting with Tyreek Hill. His return could spark a Dolphins playoff push, as they are only 1.5 games out of the seventh seed with most of the season remaining. Miami has rebounded from slow starts before, notably in 2008 and 2016, when they began 2-4 and still reached the playoffs. To pull off another turnaround, they need to act fast.
Protecting Tua on Sunday will be crucial, as well as ensuring he has chances to succeed. There are understandable concerns about his performance after missing games, especially given his early-season struggles against the Jaguars and Bills, when the Dolphins’ offense stalled.
Without Tua, Miami’s offense has sputtered, with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle barely involved in last week’s game against the Colts despite head coach Mike McDaniel’s praise for their effort. This wasn’t by design but a result of the Colts’ effective defensive scheme.
Now with Tua back, McDaniel has the opportunity to open up the playbook. Tua can’t simply force passes to Hill and Waddle; they need to get open, and McDaniel must adjust if the opposing defense neutralizes them. Tua’s presence, however, should increase the chances of involving these key players, which will be essential for the Dolphins’ success. Unlike the other quarterbacks who filled in, Tua has a deeper trust in his teammates and his own abilities.
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