**MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP)** — Tyreek Hill expressed his excitement after catching passes from Tua Tagovailoa for the first time in over a month. “I just had a big smile on my face,” Hill said. “It just felt so good.”
Tagovailoa returned to practice on Wednesday, marking his first session since suffering a concussion in Week 2. The Dolphins (2-4) are hopeful he will start this Sunday against Arizona.
While Tagovailoa still needs to complete the final stages of the NFL‘s concussion protocol, his return to practice is a positive step forward. Head coach Mike McDaniel commented on Tagovailoa’s dedication throughout the recovery process, stating, “I feel very good about how he attacked this whole process and how he came out of it to this day. You hope for a couple of days of good work, so you have no setbacks and are cleared to play.”
Since being diagnosed with his third concussion on September 12, Tagovailoa has consulted multiple medical experts specializing in brain injuries, who have cleared him to return to football, according to McDaniel.
Tagovailoa mentioned that he would not wear a Guardian Cap—an optional soft-shell helmet cover—calling it a “personal choice.” He already uses a quarterback-specific helmet designed to reduce head injuries. He previously experienced two concussions in 2022, with one incident briefly knocking him unconscious, in addition to another hard hit that wasn’t diagnosed as a concussion.
Discussing the ongoing conversations about his safety, Tagovailoa said, “I appreciate your concern. I love this game, and I love it to the death of me.” While he acknowledged the impact of his injuries, he indicated that they wouldn’t completely alter his approach to playing.
“My whole time playing football, I’ve been a competitor,” Tagovailoa noted. “But it’s a professional setting; this is the best of the best. You just can’t be doing that.”
The concussion he suffered in Week 2 occurred when he initiated contact with Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin by lowering his shoulder instead of sliding. Teammates have since emphasized the importance of sliding to avoid unnecessary hits.
Running back Raheem Mostert emphasized the difficulty in changing Tagovailoa’s instincts: “You can bring a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink. We’re going to bring Tua to that water, but we can’t make him drink.”
Hill highlighted a moment from last Sunday’s game when fans cheered as quarterback Anthony Richardson slid instead of taking a hit. “I said our fans need to clap for Tua and make him slide. We need you, bro. Next play, come on. It’s real, and we love him,” Hill said.
Last season, Tagovailoa added weight to better absorb hits, but he didn’t miss any games due to injury for the first time in his career. However, he shed some pounds this offseason to improve his mobility.
McDaniel explained that maintaining Tagovailoa’s mobility is essential for his performance: “I think one of the reasons he was so diligent about staying in shape is that it gives him a competitive advantage, allowing him to make the plays he’s capable of.”
Last season, with Tagovailoa, the Dolphins averaged over 200 passing yards and 400 total yards per game, finishing second in scoring with 29.2 points and leading in explosive plays. Without him, Miami has struggled, failing to score more than 15 points under quarterbacks Skylar Thompson, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, and Tim Boyle. Hill and Jaylen Waddle’s production has also dipped significantly.
While McDaniel downplayed the idea of Tagovailoa as a “savior” for the offense, Hill disagreed, stating, “He’s a big part of this team. When Tua is a part of this offense, nobody can stop us.”
Notes: The Dolphins have signed veteran quarterback C.J. Beathard to their practice squad along with wide receiver Tarik Black, releasing tight end Hayden Rucci. Huntley, who started the last three games, is unlikely to play on Sunday due to a shoulder injury. McDaniel will evaluate Beathard, Boyle, and Thompson during practice before deciding on the backup quarterback.