Pressure Point: Dolphins’ situation grim despite Tagovailoa nearing return

If you are the Miami Dolphins, the lone hope to cling to in this rapidly sinking season is that Tua Tagovailoa can return next week from concussion purgatory and miraculously right the wayward ship.

It’s a flimsy hope. It’s a sucker bet that I’m certainly not taking.

Nor would anyone who has watched the absolute dreck served these past six games by the misguided Mike McDaniel & Chris Grier comedy troupe.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, the Dolphins totally turtled in the second half Sunday and lost 16-10 at Indianapolis after leading by 10 against a mediocre Colts team that is trying to break in a young quarterback.

At this point I have no illusions about Tagovailoa somehow saving the season, which stands at 2-4. Just that he can provide relief from having to endure any more of the Huntley-Thompson-Boyle boondoggle we’ve been subjected to in his absence.

How many times has Dolphins season essentially ended before Heat season starts?

It’s a lot, right?

— Five Reasons Sports 🏀🏈⚾️🏒⚽️ (@5ReasonsSports) October 20, 2024

Huntley hurt, Boyle no better

On Sunday, Tyler Huntley (shoulder) joined Tagovailoa and Skylar Thompson as Dolphins quarterbacks knocked out of a game by injury already this season. It was left to Tim Boyle, a journeyman whose career has never gone very far, to finish another day of inept Dolphins offense.

Miami’s possessions in the second half, which began with a 10-3 lead, ended with three punts, two fumbles, a missed field goal and turnover on downs.

Tagovailoa is expected to begin practicing this week, and if two doctors sign off on his progress into the final stage of concussion protocol it is conceivable he could start next week at home against Arizona.

That would be a welcome development for star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who have been missing persons in the offense during his four-game absence.

Against the Colts, the duo was targeted a combined four times and had two receptions for 19 yards.

Raheem Mostert’s fumble was the turning point in the Dolphins’ loss to the Colts.

Mistakes doom Dolphins again

The bigger issue is whether it is even wise to bring Tagovailoa back from his fourth documented concussion at the earliest opportunity.

Most likely, if he is cleared and shows he’s ready to play, he’ll play. But that doesn’t answer whether it is wise.

This is a mistake-prone team that has trouble lining up onside. Steps forward are frequently undone by self-sabotage.

Brutal fumbles by Raheem Mostert and Alec Ingold on Sunday both came at the end of positive gains. They had six more penalties Sunday for 50 yards — twice the yardage assessed against the Colts.

The inability to convert on third-and-1 has become a given. It contributed to this loss when Ingold got stuffed (the line got no push) at the Indy 36 with 6:03 remaining. On fourth down, Jason Sanders clanked a would-be tying 54-yard field goal attempt off the left upright, and the Dolphins didn’t threaten again.

Offseason decisions haunt Dolphins

Missed tackles are the main shortcomings of a defense that overall has been adequate. But when you have a quarterback or running back stopped in the backfield, you have to get them down. Opponents are able to do that against the Dolphins.

Chop Robinson, Miami’s No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, was one of culprits Sunday, letting a tackle for loss slip from his hands and turn into a first-down gain.

Not writing off Robinson, but the return so far from the Dolphins’ top picks in the past three drafts has been zilch, including DB Cam Smith (second round, 2023) and LB Channing Tindall (third round, 2022).

Meanwhile the most impressive member of this year’s draft class, running back Jaylen Wright, gets minimal use.

FEED HIM MORE pic.twitter.com/JUJ9VsRd4c

— josh houtz (@houtz) October 20, 2024

The Dolphins came out of the offseason with a roster that was a downgrade from what got them to the playoffs (and no further) last season. They added veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who has yet to contribute. But didn’t consider it necessary to add an experienced backup quarterback despite Tagovailoa’s injury history.

There were veteran options who likely could have led them to at least two wins in these past three games against Tennessee, New England and Indianapolis — teams that are a combined 4-13 against opponents other than the Dolphins.

Injuries add to Dolphins’ woes

That at least would have them treading water at .500 with Tua eligible to return. Instead they only managed to squeak by a Patriots team in the early stages of rebuilding.

What does that say about a Dolphins team that was supposed to be building on back-to-back playoff appearances? That playoff success in the near future appears as a pipe dream.

Last season unraveled with an ill-fated Monday night loss to the Titans and injuries down the stretch.

Injuries have begun piling up again. Huntley and returner Braxton Berrios (knee) were added to the list Sunday.

Maybe Tua is back for the next game, but where does he take a team that can’t get out of its own way?

Looking ahead, there is little foundation to cement optimism for a season that has seemed cursed since Hill’s run-in with the police on the way to the season opener.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.