Tua Tagovailoa is set to return to practice on Wednesday with the Miami Dolphins and is targeting Week 8 against Arizona Cardinals to make his playing comeback.
The Dolphins quarterback had his third official concussion in two seasons in Week 2 when he collided with Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills.
Now, according to The Athletic, the 26-year-old is ready to return and feeling good – despite concerns that his latest injury would end his career.
Tagovailoa also displayed concussion symptoms in a fourth separate incident in the 2022 season but was cleared to play on.
That day, he staggered around on his feet after smacking the back of his head on the ground after taking a heavy hit – also against the Bills. He returned with what the team said was a minor back injury.
Tua Tagovailoa is planning to return for the Miami Dolphins in Week 8 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Dolphins quarterback was hurt in a collision with Damar Hamlin in Week 2 of the season
But four days later, Tagovailoa hit his head again playing against Cincinnati Bengals and remained unconscious. He was taken off the field on a stretcher.
That same season, he got concussed again in a Christmas Day game against Green Bay Packers.
It went unnoticed at the time and he wasn’t checked during the game – Dolphins head coach Mike Daniels later revealed that they raised the alarms when Tagovailoa didn’t remember certain parts of the game watching the tape back the next day.
Tagovailoa was shut down for the season and admitted he considered quitting the game.
‘I considered it for a time,’ he admitted in 2023. ‘Having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife and having those kinds of conversations. Really, it would be hard for me to walk away from this game.
‘It’s my health. It’s my body. I feel like this is what’s best for me and my family. I love the game of football.’
The Dolphins are 2-3 for the season and have struggled without their No 1 quarterback, enduring heavy losses to Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans in recent weeks.
They face Indianapolis Colts this weekend with Skylar Thompson at QB for what should be one last time before Tagovailoa returns.
