Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was doing well on Monday, five days after sustaining at least the fourth concussion of his life, but did not specifically answer when asked if he’s showing any symptoms.
“He’s downstairs, smiling with teammates, working with medical staff diligently,” McDaniel said during his afternoon press briefing at the team facility. “He’s doing well today. He’s feeling good. But what does that mean in terms of medical diagnosis? I don’t base my judgments off my interactions with him as much as hearing the end result of the medical examination.”
Tagovailoa remains in concussion protocol and is meeting with neurologists for input, which the Dolphins are on board with.
NFL Network reported Sunday that he does not plan to retire; McDaniel declined to say whether he has discussed that issue with Tagovailoa.
McDaniel said Tyler Huntley, who was poached off Baltimore’s practice squad on Monday and added to Miami’s 53-man roster, will back up quarterback Skylar Thompson in Tagovailoa’s absence, beginning on Sunday at Seattle (4:05 p.m., CBS). Quarterback Tim Boyle remains on the Dolphins’ practice squad.
“This is more for the depth,” McDaniel said of Huntley. “Nothing to do with Skylar. It helps the dynamics of the room, to give another guy with starting history to this team.... He was replacing the league MVP [Lamar Jackson] and you could tell from far away he’s a guy that the team absolutely believes could lead them to victory.
“That’s a huge tangible thing for a non QB 1. Without knowing exact timelines, we got to know first hand [what Huntley can do]. Moving forward, to secure some depth” made sense.
McDaniel said he and general manager Chris Grier do not have “enough information” to know whether Tagovailoa will be placed on injured reserve, which would sideline him at least four games.
Defensive lineman Zach Sieler said Tagovailoa seemed “happy” on Monday.
Other issues addressed:
▪ Asked if left tackle Terron Armstead will play at Seattle, McDaniel said “Terron is day to day. I’m optimistic.”
Armstead left the Buffalo game in the second half because of a shoulder injury.
▪ On his weekly WSVN-Fox 7 segment, agent Drew Rosenhaus said guard Robert Jones (who left Thursday’s game with a shoulder injury) and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. have injuries that are not serious or longterm. But Rosenhaus said it was undetermined if they will play Sunday.
▪ I was “enthused by today in general” McDaniel said of the players’ response to Thursday’s 31-10 loss to Buffalo.
▪ McDaniel, on De’Von Achane having 29 touches against Buffalo (22 runs, seven receptions):
“To say I was forecasting such a heavy dose, I wouldn’t be honest. He has definitely earned all the opportunities and could make the case for even more. All he’s done is give us more reasons to give him the ball. His production with the ball is definitely a positive for us. On the routine, he’s making the first guy miss.”
▪ Why was it difficult to get Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle the ball more against Buffalo?
Buffalo’s defense played a big part. “There are certain situations Reek and Waddle will come to the sidelines... and say, ‘We need to run the ball’ [perhaps because] the safety and corner aren’t even looking at the ball in play action,” McDaniel said.
“Teams have a lot of reasons to focus on those guys. It’s a group effort to get them more involved... Teammates have to really make opposing teams pay if they’re going to over-commit that way. Teams will do something until you make them pay for it.”
Their 65 combined receiving yards was their lowest since Hill and Waddle became teammates to start the 2022 season.
Local News
