The Miami Dolphins may have come up short in their 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, but quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s approach to protecting himself on the field drew widespread praise from teammates, coaches, and fans alike. In his first game back after missing five weeks due to a concussion suffered in Week 2, Tagovailoa demonstrated a heightened awareness of his own safety, even earning cheers from the home crowd for sliding to avoid a big hit on a key third-quarter scramble.
A New Mindset for Tua
Tagovailoa’s concussion against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2, which caused his body to enter a fencing posture, served as a wake-up call for the young quarterback and the Dolphins organization. During his time on injured reserve, teammates and coaches emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary contact and preserving his health for the long term.
I’m just trying to avoid the big hits if I can. Sometimes they’re unavoidable. If there’s a free rusher and you got to get the ball out, you take a hit, but just for me putting myself in those situations, I would say just obviously for the past five weeks, I have been able to just really think and ponder about my decisions.
– Tua Tagovailoa
This new mindset was on full display against the Cardinals, as Tagovailoa consistently made smart decisions with the ball and opted to slide or get out of bounds rather than take on defenders head-on. His willingness to prioritize his own safety even earned him a standing ovation from the crowd at Hard Rock Stadium when he slid to secure a first down in the third quarter.
Dolphins Offense Shows Signs of Life
While the end result may not have been what the Dolphins were hoping for, Tagovailoa’s return did provide a much-needed spark to an offense that had struggled mightily in his absence. Miami scored multiple touchdowns in a game for the first time since Week 1, recorded their highest yardage total (377) since the season opener, and posted their highest point total of the year.
Tagovailoa finished the game with 28 completions on 38 attempts for 234 yards and a touchdown, relying heavily on the team’s signature quick-strike passing attack. Despite the loss, the quarterback’s performance and the offense’s overall improvement offered a glimmer of hope for a team desperately trying to turn its season around.
Plenty of Time to Right the Ship?
At 2-5, the Dolphins find themselves in a familiar position, having started the 2021 season 1-7 before rallying to finish 9-8 and narrowly missing the playoffs. Tagovailoa believes that this year’s team, with its improved talent across the board, has what it takes to pull off a similar turnaround.
No disrespect to my other teammates, but I’m talking about the talent that we have here — we didn’t have half that talent (in 2021). So, to give that group respect, we won the next [seven] games. I’m not saying we’re going to do that or whatnot, but it is possible. Anything’s possible.
– Tua Tagovailoa
The road ahead won’t be easy, with a trip to Buffalo to face the division-leading Bills on deck in Week 9. However, if Tagovailoa can continue to play smart, efficient football and the defense can find a way to limit big plays, the Dolphins may just have a chance to salvage their season and make a push for a wild card spot in the crowded AFC playoff picture.
A New Era of Quarterback Safety
Regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, Tagovailoa’s commitment to protecting himself and putting his long-term health first represents a significant shift in the way quarterbacks approach the game. In an era where concussions and their long-lasting effects are under more scrutiny than ever, it’s crucial that players at all levels prioritize their own well-being and make smart decisions on the field.
For the Dolphins and their fans, seeing their franchise quarterback embrace this new mindset is a promising sign for the future. While wins and losses will always be the ultimate measuring stick, knowing that Tagovailoa is taking steps to ensure he’ll be around to lead the team for years to come is a victory in itself.
