Pressure Point: Dolphins, Tagovailoa again at crossroads over QB’s concussion concerns

Just when it seemed a Thursday night gone awry in prime time couldn’t get worse for the Miami Dolphins, their worst fears materialized.

A third verified concussion in the past two years for Tua Tagovailoa has overnight reduced the various concerns about a football team coming off a 31-10 trouncing by its biggest nemesis to a simple human level:

#prayfortua.

That was trending No. 1 on Friday morning, and really, that’s all that matters right now.

The questions about the star-crossed quarterback’s future not only in football but in life are again in the crosshairs of conversation.

It resurrected the memory of another ill-fated Thursday night in 2022 when Tua was taken off the field in Cincinnati on a stretcher after being knocked senseless, his contorted fingers indicative of severe neurological distress.

This is just scary and sad. Praying for Tua and his family. Hopefully everything longterm will be okay. The entire press box was in total shock. 🙏🙏🙏 #FinsUp #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/LvlRaFisUd

— Josh Moser (@TheMozKnowz) September 13, 2024

Should Tagovailoa continue in the NFL?

This time, Tua eventually walked to the locker room on his own after a jarring hit on a fourth-down scramble ended his night and cast a shroud of uncertainty over the Dolphins season and more.

Wobbled would be a more accurate description of his exit, which brought to mind a boxer disoriented in the aftermath of a knockout.

The question of whether Tagovailoa should continue to play NFL football is already taking precedence over when he might return. As well it should.

That will be determined by the opinions of his doctors and family rather than armchair tweeters who cheer the big hits which are such a part of the NFL allure while paying lip service to CTE, too often the product of all that highlight-reel impact.

My gut feeling is Tagovailoa will return when he’s able, because he is an NFL warrior at heart. That was evident when he bolted from the pocket on fourth-and-4 at the Buffalo 13 with 4:36 remaining in the third quarter.

He easily had the four yards needed for the first down. Instead of taking the wise option of a safe slide, Tagovailoa elected to plow into Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.

Bills Hamlin expresses concern for Tagovailoa

In the moment, he was trying to inspire a team that was sleep-walking through an abysmal performance as he did four days earlier with a fiery halftime speech.

He paid the price, and it remains to be seen the ultimate cost for Tua, the person as well as the player the team recently invested $212.4 million over four years.

Hamlin extended his hopes for Tagovailoa’s recovery. The memory is fresh of Hamlin going into cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati after a hit to the chest at the end of the 2022 season. He was saved by CPR and spent two days in a medically induced coma.

Understandably, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel appeared shell-shocked after the game. He described Tagovailoa as “in good spirits” and wisely declined to speculate about his quarterback’s future.

“From a medical standpoint, I don’t approach things that I’m far inferior of expertise,” McDaniel said. “I’m just there to support my teammate. I think … for me to go ahead and forecast things that I don’t know in my non-field of expertise, I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

My love and prayers with @Tua fasho.. Sending you strength and healing for a speedy recovery. 🙏🏾 much love broski.

— 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐢𝐧 (@HamlinIsland) September 13, 2024

Numerous Dolphins shortcomings evident before Tua’s injury

Certainly, on-field concerns are secondary at the moment. McDaniel, though, must immediately begin dealing with a slew of issues with a team that appeared utterly lost on its home field Thursday.

Tua threw three interceptions, including a pick-6 while attempting to throw the ball away. He was under pressure due to the collapse of the left side of the offensive line with backups Lester Cotton and Kendall Lamm filling in for starters Robert Jones and Terron Armstead, both out with shoulder injuries.

The lack of depth at wide receiver in the injury absence of Odell Beckham Jr., River Cracraft and Malik Washington appeared to be a contributing factor in the other two interceptions on passes intended for Grant DuBose and Robbie Chosen, both late additions to the roster after the preseason.

The only bright spot for the Dolphins was second-year running back De’Von Achane, who accounted for 165 yards of offense (96 yards rushing, 69 yards receiving) and scored their only touchdown.

What stood out in the final analysis was how much the Dolphins regressed since the end of last season against the team that stands in the way of their aspirations in the AFC East.

The Bills completely negated Miami’s speed factor. They were more aggressive on offense and defense. They were stronger up front, controlled both sides of the line of scrimmage. They exhibited a significant talent advantage.

They were much better prepared and more competently coached.

It wasn’t even close.

Tagovailoa’s health vital to Dolphins’ fortunes

Some of those issues were evident in the season opener but masked by the comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Still, the Dolphins are 1-1. Every NFL season is like a long trek over the Alps, full of twisting turns and many ups and downs.

But a Dolphins franchise without a playoff win since the 2000 season put all of its cards on the imperative of a healthy Tagovailoa.

My concerns about Tua as a franchise quarterback have always been less about his capability than about his ability to stay on the field.

After avoiding injury and making every start last season, his health and future are again in the spotlight.

How that impacts the fortunes of the team, it’s management and players will unfold over time. The immediate focus must be for Tagovailoa and his well being.

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.