Tua Tagovailoa is aiming to return to practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, and if all goes well, he could start their Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals.
According to Diana Russini of The Athletic, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told the players that Tagovailoa’s practice window opens Wednesday and that the quarterback plans to participate. Barring any setbacks, Tagovailoa could start on October 27.
“As far as timelines go, I know he’s not playing this week,” McDaniel said this week. “I expect to see him playing football in 2024, but where exactly that is, let’s go through the process.”
Tagovailoa suffered his third concussion in two years during their Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills. His latest brain injury led to renewed calls for him to consider retiring to protect his health. But after consulting with independent neurologists, he has no plans to retire.
Without Tagovailoa, the Dolphins offense has struggled, going 0-3 since the 26-year-old quarterback was injured. Tyler Huntley, who the Dolphins acquired after Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve, has struggled in his past two games, throwing for 290 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
The Dolphins offense as a whole has struggled since Tagovailoa left the lineup. Miami has averaged just 10 points per game since Week 2 and their top two wide receivers – Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle – haven’t surpassed 70 receiving yards since both recorded over 100 yards in Week 1.
The 2-3 Dolphins return from their bye week to face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
