Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has revealed just how much injury-troubled star Tua Tagovailoa wanted to get out on the field against the Cleveland Browns.
Tagovailoa, 26, has been troubled by the hip injury he suffered in the week 15 loss to Houston Texans. He was forced to sit out of the Dolphins’ recent 20-3 victory over the Browns on December 29, after failing to recover in time.
McDaniel, 41, admitted he is concerned that he will be without the former Crimson Tide star in the regular season finale against the New York Jets on January 5. While McDaniel is in no position to say whether Tagovailoa will be available or not, he promised Dolphins fans Tagovailoa will do everything he can to be ready.
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When asked if he expects to have Tagovailoa at the MetLife Stadium, McDaniel replied: “Ultimately, he absolutely wanted to play.”
He then added: “From a medical perspective, [it was] not an option for him to play. It wasnt a pain tolerance thing because thats not in the equation for him. He wasnt physically the main thing is that he not only was super susceptible to a much more significant injury, based upon that injury if he were to fall in harms way.
“But a major factor was the lack of strength due to the injury and his inability, as we forecasted, to protect himself and his teammates within the pocket, doing the things he normally has to do.
One positive is that McDaniel quickly ruled out the possibility of Tagovailoa having to undergo surgery, stating the only thing the QB needs to regain his fitness is time. Yet, whether the week 18 clash against the Jets will come too soon for Tagovailoa remains up in the air.
McDaniel added: “We had reasonable, hopeful expectations for his body and he absolutely had the same expectations. So, to even begin to forecast this next week, I think, is difficult because we were waiting until the last hour or so.
“It was not ideal in any way, shape, or form to have a game like this not have him available. Well be hopeful for that as we progress. But I cant even lean one way or the other really. So, well see what the world has in store for us.
In his place, Tyler Huntley enjoyed an impressive performance, finishing 22-of-26 for 255 yards, while also contributing a touchdown. He also rushed for 52-yards on seven carries with a TD for good measure. The veteran quarterback arrived from the Baltimore Ravens in September.
But with the Dolphins initially struggling to find a decent back-up quarterback, it’s possible Huntley may have earned the position. Speaking on his performance, McDaniel said: “I think he exemplified the characteristics that were reminiscent of what we had the last couple years.
“Specifically, it reminded me of Teddy (Bridgewater) and how guys, the second you go in, they believe that you won’t miss a beat. And you’ve got to earn that trust, and you’ve got to earn that conviction and that’s something that you can’t fake.”
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