When Tua Tagovailoa returned to the sector from a concussion that briefly hospitalized him in 2022, he scrambled within the first quarter in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers and initiated contact by decreasing his shoulder into the defender.
Coach Mike McDaniel later stated Tagovailoa got here to him on the sideline and stated he “wanted that” contact after lacking time together with his head damage.
However as Tagovailoa prepares to start out Sunday in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals in his first sport again from one other concussion, McDaniel’s message is way completely different.
“My reply could be: ‘You do not want that one’ this time round,” he stated, talking on Tagovailoa’s must “be sensible” in how he protects himself on the sector.
Medical specialists deemed it secure for Tagovailoa to play soccer once more after he suffered a concussion in Week 2.
Tagovailoa’s scrambling has been a subject of dialogue between the quarterback and his teammates since his newest concussion, which got here when he initiated contact with Buffalo Payments security Damar Hamlin on a scramble as an alternative of sliding.
“We have been speaking to him ever since his damage,” operating again Raheem Mostert stated. “I have been telling him, ‘Hey, that you must work on sliding.’ And all of us joke round and giggle, however on a severe observe, he is aware of that he has to guard himself a bit of bit higher.”
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa on return from IR: ‘Prepared to play the percentages’
The Cardinals have a quarterback in Kyler Murray, whose scrambling is a giant a part of his sport due to his elusiveness and velocity. He is third amongst NFL quarterbacks in dashing with 325 yards and had a 44-yard dashing landing in Arizona’s Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
“We definitely need to account for that,” Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver stated. “He’s so particular from a velocity standpoint. You possibly can be excellent, and also you assume you will have an angle, and he will outrun you. … He is appears to be like like Tyreek [Hill] taking part in quarterback.”
As a lot because the Dolphins will attempt to restrict one of many issues Murray does finest, they’re hoping to lean on Tagovailoa’s strengths to jumpstart their waning offense.
“He will be correct; [the] ball goes to be catchable, actual good, mushy in your palms, on time, all of that,” Hill stated. “It should be sharp, so it is anticipated.”
Murray stated it is typically powerful to make split-second choices on when to remain within the pocket and throw versus taking off to run, admitting he missed on open Marvin Harrison Jr. on a play through which he determined to scramble.
He stated defenses do really feel a pressure together with his skill to make performs together with his ft, although.
“I do not assume that defenses like taking part in a cell quarterback, no,” Murray stated. “I would moderately play a man that may’t transfer.”
Can Tua’s return rescue the Dolphins’ season?
The Cardinals’ protection suffered one other blow this week after studying that LB Dennis Gardeck is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Gardeck was main the Cardinals with three sacks and has been an necessary piece on particular groups.
It is a widespread theme for the protection, which has additionally misplaced LB BJ Ojulari (knee), DL Justin Jones (triceps) and DL Bilal Nichols (stinger) for the season. On Monday, the Cardinals nonetheless managed to cobble collectively an excellent efficiency, giving up 395 complete yards however no touchdowns.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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