The Miami Dolphins may not have much to play for on Sunday. Should both the Chargers and Broncos come out with victories on Saturday, Mike McDaniel’s team will be officially eliminated from playoff contention, a bitter end to a disappointing season for the team from South Florida. But even if things swing their way, there is a good chance that the Dolphins will be without perhaps their most important player against the Browns for Week 17.
Dolphins List Tagovailoa As Doubtful For Week 17
Tua Tagovailoa has made his importance known throughout the season. After suffering a concussion in Week 2, he missed four games for Miami, whose offense became completely stagnant while Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Tyler Huntley took turns under center. But upon Tagovailoa’s return, the Dolphins’ offense began to click again, and the team has gone 5-2 over their last 7 to keep their razor-thin playoff hopes alive.
They might have to play without him for the 5th time this year. Early on Saturday afternoon, it was revealed the Dolphins would be listing Tagovailoa as doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Browns. The quarterback is apparently dealing with a hip injury, which is an ailment that he has had an unfortunate history with. It is unclear if it stems from the severe injury that he dealt with in college, but Miami is obviously playing it safe with their franchise QB.
Dolphins are downgrading Tua Tagovailoa to doubtful for Sunday’s game at Cleveland due to a hip injury, per sources. Tagovailoa still is pushing to play Sunday, but if he can’t, Tyler Huntley would be in line to replace him. pic.twitter.com/jhNzzouK5F
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2024
It is just another chapter in a book that Dolphins’ fans have become all too familiar with. The team was hyped as potential Super Bowl contenders during their run in 2023, and had high hopes for the team in their third year under coach McDaniel. But the time missed by Tagovailoa exposed many of the team’s defects and weaknesses, and they failed to adjust under the circumstances on their way to a 2-6 start to the 2024 campaign.
In his 11 starts this year, Tua Tagovailoa has thrown 19 touchdowns vs 7 interceptions, and has a QBR and passer rating that is roughly on par with his performance last season. His completion percentage of 72.9 leads the NFL.
