Tagovailoa has been in concussion protocol since Sept. 12 and then suffered the third concussion of his career during a loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was placed on injury hold for the next five days and missed the team’s four closest games.
The league’s famed quarterback from a season ago was cleared to practice this speed again, per NFL policy, and was formally cleared for the protocol the next full practice on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tagovailoa said he had not had symptoms since Sept. 13, but that he understood the team’s decision to play him on IR and “protect me from myself.” He consulted with “several top medical experts from around the country” during the week and “none” of them, McDaniel claimed, had any truly helpful output.
Tagovailoa’s decision to return was a call he made together with his doctors and his people, and he did not believe in his departure.
The Dolphins lost three in their four games without Tagovailoa this season and recently sit in second place in the AFC East with a 2-4 record. Their offense ranks first in scoring through six games, although the Dolphins players are positive and may change after Tagovailoa’s return.
“It makes a big difference. Tua, him and Mike, they have a really special connection,” wide receiver Tyreek Hill said. “He allows Tua to be Tua. Tua has a connection with all the guys, we all spend a lot of time with Tua, so the connection is there. Then when you bring all that to the field, it magnifies everything we do. “The pitches are punctual, the plays are faster. He just does a great job of commanding this offense.”
McDaniel also showed defensive back Jevon Holland and linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah will play in Sunday’s games along with one-game absences. Cornerback Kader Kohou and defensive back Zach Sieler will not play, leaving the Dolphins without two defensive starters.
