Will Tua Tagovailoa play in Week 8? Latest on Dolphins QB's status Fantasy Football

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been critical to the team's success the past two seasons. Selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Tagovailoa led the team to its first playoff appearance during the 2022 season.

A season later, in 2023, Tagovailoa had a career year, setting career highs in passing yards (4,624) and passing touchdowns (29) while leading the Dolphins back to the playoffs.

Looking to make it a third-straight year of making the playoffs, he has only played in two games this season for the Dolphins after suffering a major injury in Week 2.

What happened to Tua Tagovailoa? Injury update for Dolphins starting QB

Tua Tagovailoa during Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins - Source: Getty

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2. As a result, the Dolphins placed him on injured reserve, keeping him sidelined for a minimum of four games. This was Tagovailoa's third diagnosis of concussion in the last two years.

Earlier this week, the Dolphins activated Tagovailoa off of injured reserve with the hope that he would be able to play this Sunday. Today, the Dolphins received some positive news regarding his health for Sunday.

ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter tweeted that Tagovailoa has officially cleared concussion protocol and will start against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.

Schefter Tweeted:

"Per Mike McDaniel: Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa now has cleared the NFL-mandated concussion protocol and will start Sunday’s game vs. the Cardinals. Despite any debate, Tagovailoa will be back behind center Sunday."

The Dolphins have struggled since Tagovailoa's absence. They've gone 1-3, but are currently in second place in the AFC East behind the 5-2 Buffalo Bills.

Tua Tagovailoa says he needs to "play smarter" returning from his concussion

Tua Tagovailoa during Buffalo Bills v Miami Dolphins - Source: Getty

With Tagovailoa returning back to the field this Sunday, the Miami Dolphins quarterback said he won't be wearing a guardian cap on his helmet. The NFL made guardian caps available this season for players to wear in games as they help prevent concussions.

When speaking to the media earlier this week, Tagovailoa said he has to play smarter in order to avoid serious injuries in the future.

Tagovailoa said:

"Just got to be smart, that’s it. My entire time playing football, I’ve been a competitor, and that is or was sort of my edge when I would run from high school, even in college I would do the same thing."

"But it’s a professional setting; this is the professional level, the best of the best, you just cant be doing that. So definitely got to stay more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys," he added.

Some people think that Tagovailoa shouldn't return back to football and fear for his safety. But at the end of the day, he has a job as the Miami Dolphins quarterback. He gets to ultimately decide what's best for himself, not the media or anyone else.

Miami will face the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.