Tua Tagovailoa’s general practitioner is earning his money. The oft-injured Miami Dolphins quarterback will be out for the team’s Week 17 home clash with the Cleveland Browns.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Suprise Injury Designation
Tagovailoa suffered his undisclosed hip injury during Miami’s 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15. Despite the ding, he both finished that game and played the following week, leading the Dolphins to a 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers.
This is why folks are confused as to why Tua is sitting out Sunday’s clash with the Browns.
Tagovailoa’s 2024 salary is approximately $53.1 million, so Fins Twitter is irked that he’s out with an iffy ouchie, especially since Miami is trying to keep their (slim) playoff hopes alive.
“You’re telling me Tua has an injury and it’s not major and you’re not going to have him play? Hey @MiamiDolphins you don’t have to be the softest organization on Earth. Like you don’t have to prove everyone right that you have no idea what you’re doing, ever” tweeted one fan.
I am beyond disappointed in Tua. He practiced all week and he needs to play this game. It’s time to move on from Tua. This is unacceptable.
— Matthew Patrick (@Matt_Patrick5) December 29, 2024
Others called for his job: “I am beyond disappointed in Tua. He practiced all week and he needs to play this game. It’s time to move on from Tua. This is unacceptable.”
It seems Tua wanted to take the field, saying on Thursday, “I mean, [the hip] is good. It’s just like anyone else on the team and anyone else around the league—you get banged up little bit towards the ending of the year, so just got to take care of that.”
But Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel didn’t want to take a chance with his $53 million man.
Considering Tua’s injury issues, it might not be a bad idea to keep the University of Alabama product out of harm’s way.
Breaking Down Tagovailoa’s Extensive Injury History
Tagovailoa has proven to be a bit injury-prone since entering the NFL. Here’s what the lefty has dealt with over his professional career:
- 2024: Hip
- 2024: Concussion
- 2022: Concussion
- 2021: Finger
- 2021: Ribs
- 2020: Thumb
- 2020: Undisclosed illness
All told, he’s missed 18 of his 83 potential starts, almost 15% of his games. This begs the question, has he been (or will he be) worth the Dolphins’ investment?
Dolphins QB Signed Massive Extension Ahead of 2024 NFL Season
This past summer, Miami gave Tua franchise quarterback money, inking him to a four-year, $212,400,000 contract, including $167,171,000 guaranteed and a $42,000,000 signing bonus.
Coming in at $53.1 million per year, Tua is earning just above Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff’s $53 million annual average salary, making him the NFL’s fifth-highest-paid QB.
Tua earned this payday with a career-year in 2023, leading the league in passing yards (4,624) and racking up a career-high 29 touchdown passes. As a result, the QB etched himself into the Dolphins’ record books with the biggest deal in the team’s history.