NFL Trade Rumors: Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Expected Back Mid-Season

The Miami Dolphins' 2024 regular season still has a shred of hope. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is "symptom-free" following his most recent concussion and is expected to return to game action following his current stint on injured reserve.

"I think at this point and time, it would be more surprising if Tua didn't come back." @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/YmclTFr3Fa
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) October 1, 2024

Tagovailoa suffered a concussion in Week 2's 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Tagovailoa notably suffered a series of head and neck injuries during the 2022 season that were so severe he considered retirement. Tagovailoa went on to start 17 games in 2023, even leading the league in passing yards and earning a massive four-year, $212.4 million extension this offseason.

The Dolphins placed Tagovailoa on IR following Week 2, guaranteeing he'll miss at least four games. Given the Dolphins have a Week 6 bye, the earliest Tagovailoa could return would be Week 8's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

Clearly, the Dolphins need Tagovailoa. They've struggled in his absence, losing two straight while amassing a paltry 389 total yards. Backup quarterbacks Sylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley have been equally helpless, accounting for an untenable 3.51 net yards per passing attempt combined so far this season. Tagovailoa has averaged an impressive 7.71 net yards per passing attempt in his 32 starts under head coach Mike McDaniel.

Rushing Tagovailoa back to the field will undoubtedly make for some tense moments just about any time he takes a hit. However, if he's genuinely without any lingering symptoms from his previous injuries, there's no reason he can't be an asset to the Dolphins. He could be just what they need to turn their regular season around.