Although Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa won’t play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, he’s made a positive impact on the team.
Tagoviloa returned to the training ground this week for the first time since suffering a frightening concussion on September 29 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Tagoviloa still made his way through the NFL’s updated concussion protocol.
Dolphins coaching quarterbacks and passing coordinator Daryl Bevel is thrilled with how Tagovailoa has responded to his injury.
“It was amazing,” Bevel said. “It was great. I mean, it’s chomping. I think any time something is being snatched from you in any way, I think there’s sometimes an increased awareness of how much you value something, and I think Tua goes through that a little bit.”
Tagovailoa’s additional enthusiasm for a comeback makes sense given how well he did before his injury. He was near the top of the NFL in both the pass and touchdown yards, and the Dolphins averaged 27.6 points per game during Week 3.
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins Technical Director, emphasized the importance of having Tagovailoa on the team.
“It’s exciting for everyone, if only because we really miss his personality,” McDaniel said. “He’s a guy we depend on, not to mention all his play and all that stuff.”
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Terek Hill: ‘Always enjoy your brother’s comeback’
Tagovailoa won’t add to his numbers this week, but his energy in coaching has impressed some of his teammates, such as wide receiver Terek Hill.
Well, just to get him back in there, his energy, his drive, Hill said. “The way he can enjoy playing this game throughout, man, is amazing in itself. So, it’s always fun to have your brother back on the field. I look forward to hosting him whenever he comes back, but it’s good to see him healthy.”
Another player who should be happy to see Tagovailoa return this week is Miami’s expected quarterback, Skyler Thompson.
Thompson will start his first career Sunday, so having Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater back up to help him this week is a huge plus.
Thompson, who was drafted by Miami in the seventh round this season, was forced to lose Miami to the New York Jets when Bridgewater left the game after one game and was put into concussion protocol.
That left Thompson as the only midfield player in Miami, something Bevel is glad that won’t be the case this week.
“Last week there was a lot going on, and the two young veterans weren’t around and then the next guy—even Reed (Sennett) wasn’t getting dressed; so I felt a greater urgency to stay with him, connect more, and just try to be the veteran presence he would need,” Bevel said. . In a week like this, I can still give him the information, but then when I go away, I don’t have to worry about what’s on his mind, because you’ll have these two old warriors who are able to stand there with him and give him some of the ideas they have.”
It remains unclear when Tagovailoa will officially return to the squad, but McDaniel is only focused on taking the steps to recover one step at a time.
“I’m just excited for him to get into the football field and see — there’s some progress we have to make in terms of, ‘Hey, he has to make a pass,'” McDaniel said Wednesday morning. that. Right now, I’m really focused on getting out of it and feeling good and being with my teammates, and those kinds of decisions aren’t in the immediate future at the moment.”
In the meantime, Tagovailoa will have to continue to make an impact as a leader.
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