The Miami Dolphins have made it well known for months that their intent is to invest in a potential franchise quarterback this upcoming spring. That was all a part of their process — strip down the roster, accumulate assets and then proceed to target and pursue the quarterback of their choice. And all along the way, the QB the Dolphins have had eyes on has been Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, a Samoan lefty with sharp wit, quick feet and a humble demeanor.
But the pairing of Tua and the NFL may have to wait. Tagovailoa, who came back from an ankle injury to play last week in a shootout against the LSU Tigers, was a game-time decision against the Mississippi State Bulldogs yesterday before shredding the Bulldogs secondary in the first half — until disaster struck.
Tagovailoa was tackled awkwardly in the final moments of the first half, a hit that knocked his helmet from his head and left him bloodied on the field — but with a devastating hip injury that has ended his season and potentially put his longevity as a football player at risk.
Tagovailoa was formally diagnosed with a dislocated hip, which casts into doubt what Tagovailoa will ultimately decide to do this offseason. Declare? Return to school and redshirt? The most important thing for Tagovailoa is to do everything he can to return to full health and get back onto the football field. It’s where his all of his time and energy should go, one the doctors are able to sift through the damage and set him on a course for recovery.
And for the Dolphins? The injury will dramatically change the landscape of the 2020 quarterback class no matter what Tagovailoa’s decision is in the coming weeks. The Dolphins’ pursuit of a quarterback will continue onward, that much is sure — but it may have to proceed without one of the top targets in the race.
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