Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the media on Friday morning with updates on Tua Tagovailoa’s recovery from a concussion suffered in Thursday night’s game against the Buffalo Bills. In typical coach fashion, McDaniel refused to give a timeline on Tagovailoa’s return, emphasizing the importance of not rushing the quarterback back to the field.
“I have zero idea what any timeline might be,” McDaniel explained to reporters. “I don’t want to put that sort of pressure on Tua. First and foremost, I’m not assessing the injury through the lens of, ‘Alright, so what does this mean for him playing?’ Really, for me, I know the facts are that it’s important that he gets healthy day by day, and in that, the best thing I can do is not try to assess what this even means from a football standpoint.”
Tagovailoa has a history of concussions, having missed multiple games during the 2022 season due to head injuries. The QB was stretchered off the field in Week 4 against the Bengals and later suffered another concussion on Christmas Day against the Packers, ending his season prematurely.
With Tagovailoa’s health being the top priority, McDaniel expressed his desire for the quarterback to focus on his recovery and personal life. When asked about the possibility of retirement for the 26-year-old, who recently signed a lucrative contract extension, McDaniel chose not to speculate on Tua’s future in the NFL.
“As of now, I just want Tua to focus on being a dad and not worry about football,” McDaniel stated. “Given his concussion history, it’s important for him to take the time he needs to heal properly before thinking about returning to the field. Retirement is a decision that only Tua can make, and it’s not something I’m going to comment on at this time.”
As the Dolphins navigate through uncertainty surrounding their star quarterback’s health, one thing remains certain – McDaniel and the team will prioritize Tagovailoa’s well-being above all else. The Miami fan base anxiously awaits updates on Tua’s condition, hoping for a speedy and safe recovery for their beloved QB.
