Official NFL injury reports and announcements

Medically Cleared, Dolphins' Tagovailoa to Return; Aims to Play Week 8 vs. Cardinals

Oct 21, 2024, 05:39 PM

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is set to return to practice on Wednesday after being medically cleared following his latest concussion. Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Tagovailoa's practice window will open, with the hope that he will play in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, pending clearance from the NFL's concussion protocol. Tagovailoa, who has been symptom-free since the day after his concussion, suffered his third concussion in two seasons during a Week 2 game against the Buffalo Bills, raising concerns about his long-term health. Addressing these concerns, Tagovailoa stated he did not consider retirement and appreciates the worry but is committed to playing, saying, 'I love this game, and I love it to the death of me.' He added, 'This is what makes me happy. And I'm going to do it.' He also confirmed he will not wear a guardian cap upon his return, citing personal choice. Tagovailoa expressed frustration with the narrative focusing on his concussions and noted that athletes in other sports are not judged the same way. The Dolphins, currently 2-4, are designating him to return from injured reserve and hope his return will provide a much-needed boost as they face the Cardinals. McDaniel emphasized that medical experts have deemed it safe for Tagovailoa to return, and the team has followed their advice throughout his recovery.