MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — There were more than 60 Miami Dolphins players who practiced Wednesday.
But all eyes were on one and one alone: Tua Tagovailoa, who was back on the field for the first time since Sept. 12.
Tua Tagovailoa Returns to Miami Dolphins Practice
Tagovailoa was back in his familiar No. 1 red jersey and got all of his normal work during the portion of practice open to reporters.
The media is allowed to view the team stretching, warming up, and then throwing to receivers on air before team drills.
Tagovailoa, who, as he signaled, did not wear a Guardian Cap, looked sharp during the 20+ minute window open to reporters. Only one of his many throws hit the ground: An in-breaking route to Jaylen Waddle that was just beyond his grasp.
Big day for the Miami Dolphins.
Tua Tagovailoa is back at practice for the first time in six weeks.
Players not spotted today: Terron Armstead, Calais Campbell, Kader Kohou, Storm Duck, and Tyler Huntley. pic.twitter.com/yjyyV9ArL1
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 23, 2024
Tagovailoa got his first on-field work on Wednesday with receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who missed all of spring ball and training camp with a knee injury. When OBJ returned, Tua was out after suffering his fourth diagnosed concussion in five years.
“He looked great, man,” teammate Tyreek Hill said after practice. “Felt like old times. Me and him connected on a few deep shots today and that kind of got me feeling good today. I missed that. I missed him. I told him I gotta take him and his wife for dinner, bro, because I missed him so much, bro. That s— was so beautiful that it almost made me cry.”
While Tagovailoa said recently that he’s been symptom-free since the day after his concussion, the Dolphins elected to put him on injured reserve to allow his brain the time it needed to settle down.
Tagovailoa still technically remains on IR and cannot play Sunday unless he clears the concussion protocol, which seems to be a formality at this point.
Tagovailoa was one of four Dolphins quarterbacks to practice Wednesday. The others: Tim Boyle, Skylar Thompson, and newcomer C.J. Beathard.
Tyler Huntley (shoulder) did not practice and is not expected to play Sunday.
Dolphins players not spotted at practice Wednesday? Offensive tackle Terron Armstead, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, and cornerbacks Storm Duck and Kader Kohou.
Tagovailoa’s first game back could be against a banged-up Cardinals defense. Three Arizona defenders missed practice due to injury Wednesday: LB Dennis Gardeck, DL Roy Jones, and CB Sean Murphy-Bunting.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Miami Dolphins Injury Report
Cardinals
Did Not Practice
LB Dennis Gardeck (knee)
OL Christian Jones (personal)
DL Roy Lopez (ankle)
CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck)
DL Darius Robinson (personal/calf)
Limited
OL Kevin Beachum (groin)
CB Max Melton (neck)
LB Owen Pappoe (hip)
Full
OL Isaiah Adams (thumb)
Dolphins
Did Not Practice
OT Terron Armstead (rest)
DT Calais Campbell (rest)
CB Storm Duck (ankle)
QB Tyler Huntley (right shoulder)
CB Kader Kohou (neck)
Limited
OL Liam Eichenberg (shoulders)
S Jevon Holland (hand)
LB Emmanuel Ogbah (biceps)
QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion)
WR Jaylen Waddle (quad)
Full
None
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is available.