Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is on track to make his long-awaited return to the field next week. According to a report from The Athletic’s Diana Russini, the Dolphins are hopeful that Tagovailoa will be back in action for their Week 8 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium. Tagovailoa’s practice window is expected to open on Wednesday, signaling the final stages of his recovery from a concussion that has sidelined him for several weeks.
If Tagovailoa does indeed return against Arizona, it will mark his first game back since he suffered a concussion during the Dolphins’ Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The injury occurred after a collision with Bills safety Damar Hamlin as Tagovailoa scrambled for a first down, forcing him to exit the game early. This concussion was at least the third of Tagovailoa’s NFL career, raising significant concerns about his long-term health and safety.
Despite those concerns, Tagovailoa appears determined to return to the field and lead the Dolphins in the second half of the season. His absence has been keenly felt by the team, as Miami has struggled to find offensive rhythm without their starting quarterback.
Since Tagovailoa’s exit in Week 2, the Dolphins’ offense has faltered, failing to score more than 15 points in any game. After a promising season-opening win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where they won 20–17, the team has seen its once-feared offense become one of the least productive in the league.
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Miami’s offensive woes are reflected in their league rankings. Heading into their Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, the Dolphins rank 26th in passing yards per game, averaging just 185.6 yards through the air.
Even more alarming, they sit dead last in points per game, managing a mere 12.0 points per contest since Tagovailoa’s injury.
The Dolphins will need a spark to get their season back on track, and Tagovailoa’s return could be just that. The team has high hopes that his presence will reinvigorate an offense that has struggled to sustain drives and put points on the board.
Miami’s next game, against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET, but the real focus will be on the following week when Tagovailoa is expected to take the field once again.
If he returns as planned in Week 8, Tagovailoa will be looking to pick up where he left off and lead Miami’s charge in the back half of the season. While his health remains a topic of concern, the Dolphins are eager to have their star quarterback back under center, hoping his return will revitalize their playoff hopes.