Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.
Q: Two concussions in one year and I think third. As family oriented Tua is any thoughts he gets worried and retires early? Especially with all these stories about multiple concussions long term effects. — @finsluva on Twitter
Q: If he retired in like 2-3 years, how surprised would you be? — @Steve_Ronda on Twitter
A: Let’s start with what we know, up to this minute early Tuesday afternoon: Tua Tagovailoa is in the NFL’s concussion protocol for the second time this season and took a third blow to the head in the same exact way with his helmet bouncing off the turf after getting taken down.
We still don’t know if he has been diagnosed with a concussion from the latest hit, as players can enter league protocols without actually suffering a concussion. He showed symptoms on Monday, and that’s when the team identified he should enter protocol after he finished Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
There’s also the question of his first blow to the head in the 2022 season, in the Sept. 25 win over the Buffalo Bills when he was cleared to return, finished that game and played four days later in Cincinnati, when he suffered a serious concussion and was hospitalized from it. So we still are unsure if he has had one, two or three concussions this season — or few people have that knowledge.
Could Tagovailoa consider retirement?
If this indeed is another concussion and the medical information gives him any type of indication that his long-term health is in serious danger with another hit to the head, it’s something he at least has to contemplate. And if not this one, then how many more before he does come around to the idea?
There are a lot of people opining on what he should do, but ultimately, it’s his decision to make.
Family is important to Tagovailoa, so I’m sure, especially bringing a son into the world this year with his wife, he wants to find longevity in life beyond football and be healthy in his later years.
At the same time, he’s a competitor. In the Buffalo game when he took the first hit, all he was thinking about was getting back into the game to help his team. He worked hard to return after missing two games from the concussion that saw him motionless on the field and being taken off on a stretcher in Cincinnati.
Unless there is some resounding medical evidence that this latest concussion scare was a false alarm, I would shut him down for the rest of the season if I were the Dolphins.
And this is now something that has to continuously be a concern in years going forward for however long he plays. Any hit to the head, you’re thinking about his concussion history and how that affects his recovery. That is a factor that’s considered in the NFL’s five-step protocol to return to play.
Q: Why not Skylar instead of Bridgewater for the next two games . What does #Dolphins have to lose that they haven’t lost already? — Luis Hernandez on Twitter
A: I wouldn’t throw a seventh-round rookie in Skylar Thompson into this scenario, having to keep a team’s playoff hopes alive coming off a four-game losing streak at New England and coach Bill Belichick.
This is where you want your experienced veteran backup in Teddy Bridgewater to take control in the event Tagovailoa can’t play. This is why you pursued a player with 63 career starts coming into this year in the offseason, especially knowing Tagovailoa is injury-prone.
Besides, in their limited playing time this year, Bridgewater has been better: 61.7 completion percentage, 8.7 yards per attempt, three touchdowns, three interceptions; Thompson has a 52.8 completion percentage. 5.2 yards per attempt, no touchdowns and two interceptions. Plus, Bridgewater has shown some decent rapport with Tyreek Hill when he’s been in, and two of tight end Mike Gesicki’s four touchdowns this season have been thrown by Bridgewater.
Q: Been hearing Joe Rose show this morning and it sounds like they’re broke for next year? Is that accurate and how many pics officially they have for the draft? — @sanecane on Twitter
A: The Dolphins are currently projected to be over the NFL salary cap for 2023, according to Spotrac. But those figures can always be manipulated with cuts, restructured contracts and other transactions. Miami also has to settle the Byron Jones situation, which could swing their cap space.
Here’s Miami’s current 2023 draft picks: Its own second-round pick, its own third, the Patriots’ third (DeVante Parker trade), a sixth-round pick and a seventh-rounder.
Miami’s own 2023 first-round selection was forfeited due to the team’s tampering violations. Its first-rounder from the 49ers was sent to the Denver Broncos for Bradley Chubb. The Dolphins also sent fourth- and sixth-round picks to Kansas City in the Hill trade. Their fifth-round selection was shipped to San Francisco for running back Jeff Wilson. They had two sixth-rounders with one coming from Chicago in the 2021 Jakeem Grant trade.
Q: Why does the media think McDaniel has done such a great job when he’s added a bunch of talent to the roster and the team is right where they were last year? — @RonnieBarnhardt on Twitter
A: I think there’s a difference between the media enjoying interactions with coach Mike McDaniel and thinking he “has done such a great job.” I believe most media members hold him accountable for the team’s shortcomings during the four-game losing streak. It’s inexcusable for a team that was 8-3 a month ago to not at least split its December slate.
Now, the Dolphins are fighting for their playoff lives over the final two weeks, and whether McDaniel’s first season as head coach — with a better roster than Brian Flores had last year — is a success will be determined by whether this team gets into the playoffs.
Have a question?
Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.
Previously answered:
Is Bradley Chubb contributing?
How impactful can defensive front be?
Are Miami assistants in line for head coaching jobs at season’s end?
How will defense fare on West Coast trip?
Can struggling defense be fixed? Plus, Emmanuel Ogbah, Jason Sanders questions
Should Mike Gesicki have been shopped in trade talks? Why so many penalties?
Is 8-3 with a 5-game win streak in Miami’s future? Does Brandon Shell hold on to RT job?
Why not use Mike Gesicki as WR?
Why has defense taken a step back? Liam Eichenberg concerns? Talk trades with Panthers?
Should we be sold on this O-line; what’s up with Mike Gesicki?
