Tua Tagovailoa suffered another concussion injury in Week 2 and was placed on the injured reserve. The Miami Dolphins lost 16-10 to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7 and are now 2-4 on the season.
Tagovailoa is eligible to play in Week 8, and the Dolphins have designated him to return from injured reserve. Former NFL quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was recently asked about his views on the Dolphins quarterback’s return, and he was a bit concerned about the situation.
Ben Roethlisberger Shows Concerns After Tua Tagovailoa’s Decision
The Steelers legend talked about Tagovailoa on the latest episode of “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger.”
“Tua needs to be very smart because it’s the brain, and we talked about it on here before. The brain’s the only thing that you can’t transplant, and it’s it’s just such a special organ,” Roethlisberger said. “My opinion would be to sit him down. But I also don’t know what their team contracts look like. Maybe they’re not going to have that group of guys together again.
“So, they’re like this is our last chance. Sometimes you get to a point where it’s like we have a two-year window with [Tyreek] Hill and [Jaylen] Waddle and all those guys. So maybe they’re like this is it. So this is why we have to make our run.
“If he goes out in this next game, and I pray this doesn’t happen, if he goes out and takes a big hit and has another concussion or gets knocked out, they shouldn’t let him [play]. You have to protect a player, sometimes from himself.”
Many urged Tagovailoa to retire after he got hurt in Week 2, but the Dolphins quarterback is determined to continue playing. He has confirmed that he will not wear a Guardian Cap for his protection.
“I appreciate your concern, I really do. I love this game, and I love it to the death of me,” Tagovailoa said ahead of his potential return in Week 8.
Dolphins Desperately Need Tagovailoa Back on the Field
The Dolphins are 1-3 since Tagovailoa got hurt and have the worst offense in the league. Despite playmakers like Hill, Waddle, and De’Von Achane, Miami is averaging just 11.7 points per game.
In six games this season, Hill has 24 receptions for just 294 yards and a touchdown. Waddle has 22 receptions for 269 yards, and both of them have failed to make an impact without their starting quarterback.
Tagovailoa was initially replaced by Skylar Thompson, but the latter himself suffered a rib injury and has not played since Week 3. The Dolphins later signed Tyler Huntley, who started three games for the team but suffered a shoulder injury against the Colts. Tim Boyle finished the game for the Dolphins in Week 7, leaving more doubts about the quarterback position.
The team needs Tagovailoa back to save their season. All of their skill position players have struggled without the Alabama product, and head coach Mike McDaniel will hope that their starting quarterback can stay healthy once he’s back.
The Dolphins will play the Arizona Cardinals at home in Week 8. Despite their poor start to the season, Miami can still make the playoffs. However, for that to be possible, Tagovailoa needs to play like he did last season and not like he played before getting hurt against the Bills.
The 26-year-old quarterback signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension in the offseason. He played all 17 games last season and threw for 4,624 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, completing 69.3% of his throws with a passer rating of 101.1.
