Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will make his return and start vs. the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel announced at his press conference on Friday.
Tagovailoa returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since Week 2 after a concussion put him on injured reserve. He suffered two concussions in 2022.
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Miami’s (2-4) offense ranks last in the league with 11.7 points per game after it scored the second most points in the NFL last year (29.2 points per game). Tagovailoa was limited on Wednesday and was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday. He completely progressed through the concussion protocol.
“After going through the process and having a practice where we were able to initiate some contact with him and then he met with an independent doctor and was fully cleared. He is out of the protocol,” McDaniel said Friday.
The Dolphins quarterback will not wear a Guardian Cap over his helmet. He met with multiple medical experts, however none of them said he should retire from football, McDaniel said.
“I think the most important thing for anybody that’s concerned enough to ask, Tua met with a litany, a laundry list, a long list of medical experts and zero of them recommended he shouldn’t play football,” McDaniel said. “That means 100% of them were supporting the continued journey and I think that is as easy as a relay as possible. But I know that’s what drove his confidence. Making the decision in-step with medical experts who fully support what he’s doing.”
The Cardinals take on the Dolphins at 10 a.m. MST on Sunday. Catch all the action on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 and ArizonaSports.com.