Tagovailoa Returns to Miami for Week 7 in the NFL

Tua Tagovailoa is back for Miami in Week 7 after going through concussion protocol since Week 4.

It was the first half of a division game against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 25 when the Dolphins quarterback Tagovailoa suffered a vicious hit to the head. Tagovailoa was seen walking off the field stumbling but was sent back to play in the second half.

Fans were then even more shocked when head coach Mike McDaniel decided to put him in four days later to face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

Tua’s Injury History

After 24-year-old was sent out to the field to go against Joe Burrow’s team, he sustained a severe injury to the back of his head. It was only the first half when Tagovailoa was knocked down by defensive tackle Josh Tupou. He went down and stayed down for seven minutes.

Tagovailoa was eventually loaded onto a stretcher, leaving the field with two concussions in just five days.

Tua Tagovailoa injured after being slammed down #nfl pic.twitter.com/jlNiOly3zJ

— Phip (@phleeep) September 30, 2022

This injury put him out for two weeks, and he was not able to return to practice until Wednesday Oct. 12.

During the his time healing, the team suffered losses to both the New York Jets (40-17) and Minnesota Vikings (24-16). McDaniel announced Tagovailoa was cleared and will be starting in the game Sunday Oct. 23 against the Steelers.

Here are McDaniel’s thoughts on his QB’s return:

Although the injury upset many fans and left them questioning NFL protocols, Tagovailoa is no stranger to injuries. In fact, he has quite the track record with them.

• March 2018: Broke left index finger during practice.
• October 2018: Knee sprain from game against Missouri.
• November 2018: Tweaked his left quad during a game against Mississippi State.
• December 2018: Sustained ankle injury during fourth quarter of the SEC Championship.
• October 2019: Another high ankle sprain during win against Tennessee.
• November 2019:  Hip injury during blowout win against Mississippi State to end his college career.
• November 2020: Suffered thumb injury during practice.
• September 2021: Rib fracture sustained during game against the Bills.
• November 2021: Unknown fracture to his middle finger.

Miami Looks Ahead

The Dolphins are 3-3 with three quarterbacks facing injuries this season. Not only has Tagovailoa been dealing with these injuries, but quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was ruled out of the Jets game due to injuries to his elbow and head.

Skylar Thompson had his first career start against the Vikings in his replacement but sustained a thumb injury in the second quarter. Bridgewater was later cleared and sent back on the field against the Vikings. He finished 23-24 for 329 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Dolphins host the Steelers (2-4) Sunday at 7 p.m. on NBC.