Title: Concerns Raised Over Tua Tagovailoa’s Preseason Play for the Dolphins
By Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPN
Aug 19, 2023, 03:38 PM ET
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made his preseason debut for the team against the Houston Texans on Saturday, but concerns have been raised about his involvement in preseason games.
Tagovailoa had not played since suffering a concussion in a game against the Green Bay Packers last season on Christmas Day. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season, and fans and analysts have been eager to see him back on the field.
However, in his first attempt of the game, Tagovailoa threw an interception to Houston’s Denzel Perryman. While it is just one play, it has brought to light the risks associated with playing a starting quarterback in an exhibition game.
Ahead of the game, the Dolphins released a list of players who were not expected to play due to injuries, including wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and left tackle Terron Armstead. It is understandable that the team would want to be cautious with their key players, but the decision to play Tagovailoa raised some eyebrows.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel did not explicitly commit to playing Tagovailoa in Saturday’s game when asked earlier in the week, but he did mention his intention to give the quarterback some playing time during the preseason. Last year, Tagovailoa played limited snaps in the team’s preseason games.
As the Dolphins wrap up their three-game preseason with a match against the Jacksonville Jaguars next weekend, the focus will shift to their regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 10th. Fans and analysts alike will be hoping that Tagovailoa remains healthy and performs well enough to help the team improve upon their previous season’s performance.
The decision to play Tagovailoa in the preseason raises questions about the risks involved, especially considering his recent history of injuries. However, Coach McDaniel and the Dolphins’ coaching staff seem confident in their approach and believe that getting him some game-time experience before the season starts is essential.
Ultimately, the success and safety of Tagovailoa lie in the hands of the coaching staff. As they carefully evaluate the quarterback’s condition and assess the risks involved, fans will have to trust that their decisions are in the best interest of the player and the team as a whole.