Tua’s Mere Presence at Practice a Big Plus

Though Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa received’t play this Sunday towards the Minnesota Vikings, he’s making a optimistic impression on the crew.

Tagovailoa returned to the observe discipline this week for the primary time since he suffered a scary concussion on Sept. 29 towards the Cincinnati Bengals. Tagovailoa continues to be working his method by the NFL’s up to date concussion protocol.

Dolphins quarterbacks coach and passing sport coordinator Darrell Bevell is proud of how Tagovailoa has responded to his damage.

“He’s been nice,” Bevell mentioned. “He’s been excellent. I imply, he’s chomping on the bit. I believe anytime that one thing’s taken away from you in any method, I believe there’s typically a extra heightened consciousness of how a lot you admire one thing, and I believe Tua goes by that a bit bit.”

Tagovailoa’s further eagerness to return to motion is smart given how effectively he was taking part in earlier than his damage. He was close to the highest of the NFL in each passing yards and passing touchdowns, and the Dolphins offense was averaging 27.6 factors per sport by Week 3.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel emphasised how simply having Tagovailoa round is essential to the crew.

“In order that’s thrilling for everyone, simply because actually, we simply miss his character,” McDaniel mentioned. “He’s a man that we depend on, to not point out all of his play and all that stuff.”

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TYREEK HILL: “ALWAYS FUN TO HAVE YOUR BROTHER BACK”

Tagovailoa received’t be including to his numbers this week, however his vitality on the observe discipline has impressed a few of his teammates, like extensive receiver Tyreek Hill.

“Properly, simply to have him again on the market, his vitality, his management,” Hill mentioned. “The best way that he’s capable of have enjoyable taking part in this sport all through all of it, man, it’s simply superb inside itself. So, it’s at all times enjoyable to have your brother again on the market on the sphere. I’m trying ahead to having him at any time when he’s again, however it’s good to see him wholesome.”

One other participant who must be blissful to see Tagovailoa return this week is Miami’s anticipated beginning quarterback, Skylar Thompson.

Thompson will make his first profession begin on Sunday, so having Tagovailoa and backup Teddy Bridgewater round to assist him this week is a big benefit.

Thompson, who Miami drafted within the seventh spherical this season, was compelled into Miami’s loss to the New York Jets when Bridgewater left the sport after one play and was positioned in concussion protocol.

This left Thompson as the one quarterback on Miami’s sideline, one thing Bevell is glad received’t be the case this week.

“Final week there was rather a lot happening, and the 2 veteran guys weren’t there after which the following man — even Reid (Sinnett) wasn’t dressed; he was on the sideline,” Bevell mentioned. “So I simply felt a bit bit extra urgency to stick with him, to speak much more, and simply attempt to be the veteran presence that he would wish. On every week like this, I can nonetheless give him the knowledge, however then once I stroll away, I don’t have to fret about what’s going by his thoughts, since you’ll have these two veterans that can be capable to stand there with him and provides him among the insights that they’ve.”

It’s nonetheless unclear when Tagovailoa will formally return to the lineup, however McDaniel is simply targeted on taking his restoration one step at a time.

“I’m simply excited to get him on the soccer discipline and see – there’s some progressions we’ve to make by way of, ‘hey, he has to throw a move,’ ” McDaniel mentioned Wednesday morning. “So far as his actual timeline of when he’s going to play, I’ll be excited to think about that at any time when that comes up. Proper now, I’m simply actually targeted on him getting on the market and feeling good and being round his teammates, and people kinds of choices aren’t within the quick future proper now.”

Within the meantime, Tagovailoa will simply need to hold making an impression as a pacesetter.