In the minds of many experts, the Miami Dolphins were among the favorites to win the Super Bowl this upcoming season. They had returned with the same roster that led them into playoffs last season and made key additions such as all-pro receiver Odell Beckham Jr and elite defensive back Jordan Poyer.
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Dolphins Send Tua Tagovailoa to Injured Reserve List
But just two weeks into the 2024 season, their Super Bowl hopes could already be foiled.
On September 17, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel decided that the team would be moving their star quarterback to the injured reserve list according to NFL Insider Ian Rapaport.
"The #Dolphins are placing QB Tua Tagovailoa on Injured Reserve because of the concussion he suffered on Thursday night, per me and
@MikeGarafolo," Rapaport tweeted on September 17.
"This is in order to give him ample time to progress through the stages of concussion protocol and meet with outside neurologists."
Dolphins Quarterback Could Return This Season
The news comes after Tua had to exit their week two matchup against the Buffalo Bills early after suffering a concussion. The Dolphins star collided with Bills safety Damar Hamlin and had to be helped off the field.
NFL insider Mike Garafalo says that Tua going to the IR doesn't necessarily rule him out for the season. The team is just taking their time in evaluating their options.
"The #Dolphins are placing QB Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve in order to give him ample time to progress through the stages of concussion protocol and meet with outside neurologists," Garafalo tweeted on September 17.
"The earliest Tagovailoa could return is Week 8 against the #AZCardinals, but the Dolphins are committed to placing no timeline on him as he works through a deliberate process and eventual return to play."
Tua has had a long history of dealing with concussions. Frankly, the number of scary hits that he has taken in his short career has caused several members of the NFL community to be worried. Some to the point that they have suggested that the former Alabama quarterback opt for an early retirement. It will be interesting to see what will happen as this story progresses.
