Tua Tagovailoa is set to make his return from the concussion he suffered in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills and start in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals.
In Tagovailoa’s absence, the Dolphins went 1-3 and had the league’s worst offense. They averaged just 10.0 points per game across the four games and lost backup quarterbacks Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson to injuries.
Jimmy Johnson Points Out Dolphins’ Failure in Protecting Tua Tagovailoa
Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson recently appeared on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. When asked about the Dolphins’ situation with Tagovailoa’s concussion, Johnson blamed the team for not investing more in the offensive line and on a quality backup quarterback.
“I think you can say about the same thing for every team about having a backup quarterback. In today’s football, very rarely do you have a quarterback that’s going to stay healthy the entire year,” said Johnson. “There have been a few exceptions, but for the most part, that backup quarterback’s going to play, and if you’ve got a championship football team, you need a quality backup.
“At least somebody that’s going to be able to execute and not get you beat. Not turn the ball over. So, the backup has been a real concern for the Dolphins… I think as far as upgrading the offensive line, they’ve had some problems there injury-wise, and then you know it’s where you allocate your money.
“They have put their money on their wide receivers and on their quarterback and a few of the running backs, the defensive backs. Maybe some of that money could have gone for the offensive line.”
The Dolphins lost center Connor Williams and guard Robert Hunt in free agency. Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson has the Dolphins’ offensive line ranked 27th-best in the league heading into Week 8.
There is no denying that the Dolphins have many gifted players in the skill positions, but what is the use of keeping them on the team if they don’t have a quarterback to play with? Both Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle failed to make an impact in Tagovailoa’s absence, and the team should prioritize improving its offensive line after the season.
Miami is averaging 6.4 yards per pass attempt and 4.1 yards per carry this season. In comparison, last year Tagovailoa did not miss a single game last season, and the team averaged 8.3 yards per pass attempt and 5.1 yards per carry.
Can Tagovailoa Save the Dolphins’ Season?
The Dolphins are 2-4 heading into Week 8, where they will face the Cardinals. They are expected to win the game, as Arizona’s defense has struggled a lot this season. With Tagovailoa back, the offense should start clicking, and Miami’s defense will be able to play complementary football.
The Dolphins’ next five games are against:
- Week 8: vs. Cardinals
- Week 9: at Buffalo Bills
- Week 10: at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 11: vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Week 12: vs. New England Patriots
Miami should be able to win at least three of their next five games. If Tagovailoa plays like he did last season, the team could come away with a win against the Bills or Rams as well.
The Dolphins have two games left to play against the New York Jets, who have also struggled this year. If Miami is 6-5 or even 5-6 after Week 12, they’ll still have a good chance of making the postseason.
Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension with the franchise before the start of the season.
