The Miami Dolphins will potentially have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under center on Sunday after designating him to return from Injured Reserve.
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With him returning from his fourth concussion, will he change his playing style and scramble less?
"Just gotta be smart," Tagovailoa said during a Monday press conference. "My entire time playing football, I've been a competitor and that is — or was — sorta my edge. When I'd run in high school and even in college, I'd do the same thing.
"It's a professional setting, this is a professional level, the best of the best. You just can't be doing that, so definitely gotta stay more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys."
He noted during the Monday press conference that he will not wear the Guardian Cap — an optional, soft-shell helmet layer that reduces impacts — saying it was a personal choice.
Tagovailoa sustained the concussion during a primetime game against the Bills. The Dolphins needed to gain three yards on fourth down to keep a third-quarter drive alive.
Tagovailoa took the snap and rushed forward. He gained the yardage and then began to dive forward as Bills safety Damar Hamlin went to make the tackle. Tagovailoa's head collided with Hamlin's chest and then he fell to the ground.
The quarterback told media members that he doesn't know if he sustained the concussion when his head hit Hamlin's chest or when he hit the ground.
The Dolphins have gone 1-3 without the starting quarterback in the lineup. Skylar Thompson started against the Seahawks but left the game due to an injury. Tyler Huntley started the past three games but left last weekend's loss to the Colts with a shoulder injury.
Head coach Mike McDaniel told media members that he does not yet know who will serve as the backup if Tagovailoa can suit up against the Cardinals this weekend.
Getting Tagovailoa back on the field will automatically raise expectations for the offense. Though McDaniel indicated that his quarterback shouldn't be viewed as "a savior."
Similarly, Tagovailoa isn't thinking about the number of games the Dolphins need to win to reach the playoffs after a 2-4 start. It's just one week at a time as he gets back to full speed.
"I don't think for myself I've put any pressure on myself having to come back and save the team," Tagovailoa added. "I think what we've got to do is we've got to look at this pass game — all 11 guys on the field.
"Were we giving an opportunity with the plays that were called to score on every drive? And if we can say, 'Yes,' then we can look at ourselves and see what we can do to get better moving forward."
As Tagovailoa moves forward, he does not expect to have lingering concerns about concussions or the potential risks as he leads the Dolphins offense. Nor did he give any thought to retirement as he remained on Injured Reserve.
He said that he is willing to play the odds and that he loves football to the death.
"How much risk do we take when we get up in the morning to go drive to work," he asked. "Get into a car crash. I don't know. Everything, I think, takes risk."
