In a shocking turn of events, the Miami Dolphins have made the tough decision to place their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, on injured reserve. This announcement comes as a blow to the team and their fans, as Tagovailoa has been a standout player for the Dolphins.
According to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, Tagovailoa suffered a concussion during Miami’s Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sept 12. The injury occurred when Tagovailoa was running for a first down and collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. The impact left him dazed on the ground, prompting immediate concern from those watching.
This is not the first time Tagovailoa has dealt with concussions in his NFL career. In 2022, he missed a total of five games due to two diagnosed concussions. One of these concussions was so severe that he had to be taken off the field on a stretcher during a game in Cincinnati. Despite these setbacks, Tagovailoa bounced back and had a successful 2023 season, leading the NFL in passing yards and starting in every game without injury for the first time in his career.
The Dolphins recognized Tagovailoa’s talent and commitment and rewarded him with a lucrative contract extension in the offseason. The two sides agreed to a four-year, $212.4 million deal in late July, solidifying Tagovailoa as the face of the franchise for years to come.
While Tagovailoa’s placement on injured reserve is disappointing, the Dolphins are hopeful that he will make a full recovery and return to the field stronger than ever. In the meantime, the team will have to rely on their backup quarterbacks to fill the void left by Tagovailoa’s absence. Only time will tell how this setback will impact the Dolphins’ season moving forward.
