Tua Tagovailoa officially returning, will start vs. Cardinals

Tagovailoa will come off IR and start at quarterback for the Dolphins against the Cardinals, making his first start since his concussion.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagavailoa is officially questionable to play in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, but head coach Mike McDaniel announced that Tagovailoa will be activated from injured reserve and will start on Sunday.

Tagovailos has been on injured reserve recovering from a concussion he suffered in Week 2.

There has been concern about his return to the game. His multiple concussions have been highly visible and have looked bad.

But the Dolphins released this statement about their starting quarterback’s return:

Tua Tagovailoa followed the NFL’s five-step Return to Participation Protocol, including an examination and clearance by an Independent Neurological Consultant.

Following Thursday’s practice, Tagovailoa was examined by the Independent Neurological Consultant and cleared to play in Sunday’s game.

As he has progressed through the Return to Participation Protocol, Tagovailoa has received care from top medical experts across the country.

Those experts spoke candidly with Tagovailoa about his history and not one doctor recommended he retire from the game.

Tagovailoa’s decision to return to the game following medical clearance is a decision he made with his doctors and his family.

Tagovailos has said he has been symptom-free since the day after he suffered the concussion in Week 2.

The Dolphins are 2-5 and have averaged only 10 points per game in his absence. He led the NFL in passing last season and the Dolphins were second in scoring in 2023.

His return is enough to make the Dolphins 4.5-point favorites over the Cardinals.

The Cardinals and Dolphins kick off Sunday from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 1 p.m. ET.

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