Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized Tua Tagovailoa’s health over the team’s immediate football prospects on Friday, following the quarterback’s latest concerning head injury in Thursday night’s game.
Tagovailoa sustained the injury in the third quarter of the Dolphins’ 31-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills. While attempting to gain a first down, he collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, resulting in a blow to the head. Tagovailoa was treated by Dolphins trainers on the field at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens but managed to walk off on his own. He was subsequently replaced by backup quarterback Skylar Thompson.
In a Friday morning video conference, McDaniel revealed that Tagovailoa was resting when he attempted to reach him and noted that the quarterback would undergo his first “after-action” assessment with the team’s medical staff later in the day. McDaniel stressed the importance of Tagovailoa’s recovery, stating that his primary concern is not evaluating the implications for the team’s future but ensuring Tagovailoa’s health is prioritized.
“It’s crucial that he recovers day by day,” McDaniel said. “The best thing I can do is refrain from assessing what this means for football right now. Our focus is on his health, not on football outcomes.”
This marks at least the third concussion Tagovailoa has suffered in his NFL career. McDaniel declined to speculate on the severity of the injury or the timeline for Tagovailoa’s return to play.
“The severity of the concussion isn’t the issue,” McDaniel explained. “What’s important is managing the delicate period immediately following the injury and avoiding additional stress or anxiety. We need to be meticulous and patient with his recovery.”
He also dismissed questions about Tagovailoa possibly considering retirement, emphasizing that such discussions would be inappropriate. “His career is his own,” McDaniel said. “The most important factor here is Tua’s perspective and wishes, along with the guidance of medical experts.”
Moving forward, McDaniel stated that the team would prepare Skylar Thompson to start in Week 3 but also indicated that the Dolphins are exploring options to add another quarterback to the roster. “We have confidence in Skylar, which is why he’s our backup,” McDaniel said.
McDaniel, who was hired by the Dolphins before the 2022 NFL season, has led the team to a 21-15 record and playoff appearances in both seasons. He has faced various challenges, including recent issues involving star wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
The Dolphins are set to play again on September 22, traveling to Seattle to face the Seahawks.