Brian Flores, Dolphins coach, discusses Tua Tagovailoa’s return to practice and whether or not he will play this weekend. (0:51).
MIAMI -- The history of the Miami Dolphins shows that they must defeat at least two of their three next opponents to be in any chance of reaching the playoffs. They are currently at 1-4 with a four-game losing streak. Anything less will put them in a situation only one other team has ever recovered from in modern NFL history.
Since 1990, 117 teams started their season with a record 2-6 record. Only one team made it to the playoffs: Washington (9-9) in 2021. The pressure is added for the Dolphins who will face the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5), in London, on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET, CBS), and then returns home in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons (2-3). Week 8 will see a rematch with the Buffalo Bills (4-1), which beat the Dolphins 35-0 at Hard Rock Stadium.
You now know what is at stake and the dire situation in which Miami's Tua Tagovailoa finds himself. He has missed the last four series with fractured ribs. (He was hurt in Miami's second series in Week 2), and has spent the past three weeks in injured reserve. Coach Brian Flores indicated that he expected Tagovailoa will be available for Sunday's match.
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It is perhaps unreasonable to expect a QB who has made 11 NFL starts to revive a unit that has been woefully inactive for the past three weeks. But a player drafted No. The offense will likely be reenergized by a player drafted No. 5 overall in 2020 like Tagovailoa.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Miami is 31st for total yards, 30th for passing yards, 31st for scoring, and seventh in rushing yards. This is an area Tagovailoa focused on in the offseason. He attempted 51 passes and completed 37% of them in 2020, ranking 30th and 34th respectively among qualified passers.
In Week 1, he showed improvement, attempting six passes with at least 15 yards of air in a win against New England. Although he only completed two passes, it appeared that he was following the advice of Dan Marino, a Dolphins great and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Tagovailoa stated that Marino advised him to "pick one guy and let it fly."
Tagovailoa now must attempt to continue where he left off prior to the injury. Preston Williams, wide receiver, said Tagovailoa was a constant presence despite being injured. He watched film, practiced and was there during games.
George Godsey, co-offensive coordinator, said that the communication and relationships between Tagovailoa's teammates were "beginning to build." He is eager to see his quarterback regain the form he displayed before he was hurt. Godsey pointed out that Tagovailoa will face some challenges, even if they are able to play.
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Godsey stated, "Whenever there's a lapse in time like that... it's getting the confidence that you really developed all training camp." For Tua, it will be returning to training camp, being determined, having a quiet alarm, and getting back on the field.
We won't be in a position to find these things until the game. However, certain throws such as being able to rip the ball out to the sideline when he needs to, showing some touch over the linebackers and [avoiding pass-rushers] inside the pocket are all things that will happen throughout the game. These are definitely things you want to practice.
"We'll go through it one-by-one this week to see if it can be reached a point where we feel at home before the game."
Tagovailoa appears to have the trust and support of his teammates, including Williams who stated that the Dolphins have "rally around" their quarterback.
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"Tua was always a leader in mine eyes. Williams stated that he used to be a leader at Alabama. He's always seemed like the right man for the job, according to me. ... We are glad that he is back.
Tagovailoa is not the only one who can bring the Dolphins back from their horrible start. After leading the NFL in turnovers last year, their defense was ravaged by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tagovailoa's value can be proven in the coming weeks.
Everybody has seen the Miami offense without him. He is determined to prove the world that they were right in drafting him over Justin Herbert, a budding Los Angeles Chargers player. His next two games will be his best chance at keeping his critics away.
In their move up to the 2021 draft board, the Dolphins traded their first-round pick from 2022 in order to select Jaylen Waddle as their receiver. This can be considered Miami betting on next year's first round pick to become a playoff team.
Jaguars. Falcons. Bills.
To make this gamble pay off, the Dolphins must beat at least two teams. Tagovailoa is also up for the challenge.
