When will Tua Tagovailoa return for Miami Dolphins? Dates and update on concussion

It remains unclear when - or indeed if - Tua Tagovailoa will be able to return to action for the Miami Dolphins, after the quarterback suffered a concussion in the team’s Week 2 defeat to the Buffalo Bills earlier this month.

Tagovailoa sustained the head injury in a collision with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin, during the third quarter of a 31-10 home loss on September 12. It was the 26-year-old’s third confirmed concussion since joining the NFL in 2020; he also suffered two in the 2022 season.

Tagovailoa on Dolphins’ IR

Ahead of the Dolphins’ Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks eight days ago, Miami placed Tagovailoa on their injured reserve list (IR), which means the QB must sit out at least four games, per NFL rules. Therefore, the very earliest he would be allowed to return to the team would be the Dolphins’ Week 8 match-up with the Arizona Cardinals on October 27.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide star must also pass the NFL’s strict, five-step concussion protocol before being cleared to play.

Speaking to reporters a week ago, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel spoke of his reluctance to place a timeline on Tagovailoa’s potential return. “If you set a timeline based upon the information you have today, how much of whatever goes on is fulfilling the prophecy of that timeline? And is that the right thing? Especially with competitors and stuff, sometimes you can do more harm than good.

“Not worrying about anything as it relates to timelines is very empowering for him [Tagovailoa] as a human being to recover from injury, and that’s steadfast the only motivating factor that you have when you’re dealing with players and their careers and their injuries.”

On Tuesday, McDaniel confirmed that Tagovailoa was to spend last week being assessed by independent neurologists, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe:

Tagovailoa “has been determined to continue playing”

Given that this is the third time Tagovailoa has sustained a traumatic brain injury in just over four years in the NFL, there have been calls for him to safeguard his long-term health by retiring from playing. However, ESPN insider Adam Schefter says he expects the Hawaiian to insist on resuming his career.

“His mindset all along has been that he wants to continue playing,” Schefter told the Pat McAfee show on Friday. “That’s just the way that he’s thought. Now, is there going to be enough information [from Tagovailoa’s visit to neurologists], are tests going to be conclusive enough that some doctor, some family member, some friend is going to step in and say: ‘Tua, this isn’t happening’?

“I don’t have the answer to that. I don’t know what those conversations are that have occurred or will occur in the days and weeks to come. But I know this is a guy that every time he’s been through a situation like this, no matter the severity of it, he has been determined to continue playing.”

Who will play at QB for the Dolphins vs Titans?

In Tagovailoa’s absence, back-up quarterback Skylar Thompson started for the Dolphins against the Seahawks - but is listed as questionable for today’s Week 4 clash with the Tennessee Titans, after suffering a rib injury in Seattle. In a news conference yesterday, McDaniel confirmed that Tyler Huntley, who Miami signed from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad this month, is to start against the Titans.

Titans vs Dolphins: start time, how to watch

The Dolphins host the Titans today, Monday September 30, with kick-off at Hard Rock Stadium scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT. Viewers in the US will be able to watch the game on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, CBS Miami and WSMV Channel 4. Your streaming options include the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free trial.

Enjoy the Titans vs the Dolphins on fubo.

After consecutive losses to the Bills and the Seahawks, the Dolphins have a 2-1 record heading into Week 4. The Titans, meanwhile, are 0-3 after defeats to the Chicago Bears, the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers.