The Miami Dolphins are off to the kind of red-hot start that has head coach Mike McDaniel wondering every day if his key card at the facility still works. At 1-4, the Dolphins are hosting the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend and they aren’t probably aren’t thrilled that a familiar name has shown up on a familiar report.
Quarterack Tua Tagovailoa – along with a few other new Dolphins – has popped up on the injury report for the first time this season. It’s Week 6, so he’s ahead of schedule.
Tua was listed as limited in practice with thumb and hip injuries. There is a problem with both injuries. The thumb is on his left hand, which is the one he likes to throw with (although after watching some of his games, some would suggest trying the right hand). The hip is curious because he had a hip injury late last year and it’s not known at this point if the two are related.
“The other new names on the injury report include LB Tyrel Dodson, who didn’t practice because of a concussion he sustained against Carolina; offensive lineman Larry Borom (thumb); center Aaron Brewer (pectoral); and DB Elijah Campbell (quad). The last three were listed as limited participants,” writes Alain Poupart of Sports Illustrated.
Tua Tagovailoa dealing with pressures of NFL
Tagovailoa’s health history is well documented. Regardless of his struggles as a quarterback, the injuries have been the biggest problem in his career. But, they do happen and he also has to deal with the pressures that otherwise come with playing quarterback in the NFL.
McDaniel was asked about that on Wednesday.
“I think it’s one of the reasons I focus on how he grows as a quarterback in the micro instances that I think are so difficult as a franchise quarterback [in] the National Football League,” McDaniel told reporters.
“If you’re uncomfortable with the stakes of the game, it’s not a game for you. You’re not going to change the stakes and he knows that, and I think that’s why I put such a priority on focusing on what he’s working on, being able to get better at things.”
McDaniel says Tua Tagovailoa has to deal with the “noise”
While Tua’s appearance on Wednesday’s injury report prompts thoughts of ‘here we go again,’ so do his stats for 2025. His numbers are fine, where he sports a 70.7% completion rate and has thrown for 1,008 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions.
But, as the quarterback, he still has ownership of this 1-4 record.
“While that is also always true, bottom line, black and white, you’re held accountable for the results while you’re trying to get better,” McDaniel continued. “That’s difficult. I think he’s as experienced as anyone with positive or negative noise, and I think in that, you find the best version of yourself when you’re able to allow your own thoughts and decisions to dictate your opinion of yourself and how you’re carried towards others and how you handle all those things. So not easy, but I think that’s something that no quarterback in the National Football League is not exposed to.
“I think that’s something that is very, very challenging and what separates people is that ability to work within the noise. If they tell you you’re awesome or that you suck, how does that relate to what you’re doing to influence your next performance? That’s what he does.”
As always, Tua’s health will have to be monitored. It seems like it’s not a huge deal for now, but the last thing the Dolphins need is for Zach Wilson to get any playing time.
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