In the aftermath of Tua Tagovailoa suffering another concussion during Thursday night’s nail-biter against the Bills, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel took to a Friday morning video conference, steadfast and emotional, without offering a specific timetable for the quarterback’s comeback. Through the lens of worried eyes, McDaniel revealed that he sees it as highly improbable that we’d see Tagovailoa on the field swinging his arm against Seattle in Week 3.
The Bigger Picture: Health and Family First
With an emphatic tone, McDaniel made it clear — he didn’t want to pile on anxiety for Tua by conjecturing about his career prospects. The focus, McDaniel reiterated, should be on “getting healthy and being a father to his children.”
Addressing the gathered press, he underscored that the most critical figures in this equation are Tagovailoa and the medical team. However, without definitive information from either, McDaniel confessed it’s hard to picture Tagovailoa donning his jersey and padding up against Seattle.
Straight Talk from McDaniel
“If I’m a betting man … I don’t see how he would play the next game. I don’t see it,” McDaniel franked-up, with a tinge of reluctance. “But who am I to know or judge? Nonetheless, it’s reasonable to be prepared, perhaps stocking up three quarterbacks for the roster. But, again, I have no idea. And let’s be clear, I’m not about to start making long-term decisions prematurely.”
Interestingly, when the ever-delicate question of retirement was broached, McDaniel didn’t mince words. “I think it would be so wrong of me to even sniff that subject.”
Career Talk? Not Yet
McDaniel continued, “[Y]ou’re talking about this career, right? His career is his. You know?” emphasizing the personal nature of these decisions. He implored, “I just wish people would, for a second, hear what I’m saying — that bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him. I’m going to plead with everybody that does genuinely care, that should be the last thing on your mind.”
Reiterating his point, McDaniel added, “[I]f I were to answer that question, I’d be like, alright, these are my thoughts on his career. And he read it. If he agreed with it or disagreed with it, either way, I’ve just made him worse. … I don’t think it’s appropriate simply for my care and regard, and I don’t think those types of conversations when you’re talking about someone’s career — it’s only fair that their career should be decided by them.”
The Unsettling Uncertainty
While McDaniel strongly hinted that Tagovailoa is unlikely to play next week, he refrained from speculating whether the quarterback will be placed on injured reserve. He cited the lack of a next-day examination and an in-person conversation with Tua as reasons for this uncertainty.
“His opinion and what he wants to do with his life and his career coupled with the experts in neuroscience — those are the driving forces behind those actions,” McDaniel conveyed. “I’m not hiding anything. I’m being as transparent as I absolutely could [be], I have zero idea what any sort of timeline is.
“We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation. And that’s all I want to do or we should do, just because I’m not going to rush to judgment way prematurely… [W]hat I’m telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad, be a dad this weekend. And then we’ll move from there. So, there won’t be any talk about where we’re going in that regard and how long he’ll [be out] … none of that will happen without doctors’ expertise and the actual player.”
Family First, Football Second
The tale of Tua’s concussion isn’t just a sports story, it’s a heart-twister. For McDaniel, watching Tagovailoa endure another concussion is a personal blow given their close relationship. “As I look at it, Tua is a family member of mine,” McDaniel somberly noted. “So when family is going through something, you know how it is — you’re juggling a ton of thoughts, but you keep on because people are counting on you. So, not easy.”
And so, as Dolphins fans wait with bated breath, the man who’s always lit up the field must pause and prioritize his well-being and his role as a father. For now, the world of football will wait for Tua Tagovailoa to come back when he’s ready, whole, and healthy.
