Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is dealing with a rib injury and is currently being evaluated on a daily basis, according to ESPN. Tagovailoa was taken out early in the Dolphin’s embarrassing loss Sunday evening to the Buffalo Bills, 35-0. The Bill’s defensive end AJ Epenesa took out Tagovailoa on the second drive of the game. He did not return to the game. Jacoby Brissett eventually took over for the Dolphins and recorded 169 passing yards and an interception.
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores mentioned that Tagovailoa is experiencing significant discomfort on Monday and is scheduled for additional tests. Follow-up X-rays on Tagovailoa’s rib were negative, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Flores applauds Tua’s toughness, dating back to when he dislocated his hip he suffered in his senior year at Alabama in 2019. Flores hasn’t confirmed or denied that Tagovailoa will play this upcoming Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, he suggested that depending on the pain tolerance it will help determine his game status.
Flores described Tua as extremely resilient. He’s a tough young man, no doubt about it. If Tua is able to play, he will. That’s just the kind of person he is.
Flores emphasized that Tagovailoa attempted to return Sunday after sustaining the rib injury against the Bills. Flores has high hopes for Tua’s potential return to practice Wednesday with the team. He has mentioned taking safety precautions by placing Tagovailoa in a flat jacket to mitigate the impact of any hits he may take.
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Will Fuller’s return brings a huge upside to Miami’s offense. He’s has proven he can be a real asset in the passing game. He missed practice Thursday and Friday and ultimately Sunday’s game for personal reasons.
Flores spoke to Fuller being in the facility Monday and expecting him throughout the remainder of the week and Sunday.
Flores has not revealed specific’s of Fuller’s personal issues but said the news did come by surprise. Fuller has yet to make his Dolphins debut due to a one-game suspension to start the season issues last year on the Houston Texans. He signed with Miami in March and looks to play against the Raiders and be a big target in the passing game.
