Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to practice Wednesday as he prepares to take the field this weekend for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Bills, and Tyreek Hill was ecstatic to have him back.
Without Tagovailoa, the Maimi offense has averaged an abysmal 10 points per game. None of Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley, or Tim Boyle was able to master the timing of the offense, and the passing attack suffered greatly.
Hill’s numbers were especially hurt by Tagovailoa’s absence, as the five-time All-Pro hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1.
“I missed him so much,” Hill said after Tagovailoa’s first practice back. “[Expletive] was so beautiful, that [expletive] almost made me cry today like just having him in the lineup, having him call the plays, having him direct the offense, like just hearing his voice. I know that sounds crazy, but he’s a big part of this team.”
Hill has recorded just 140 receiving yards in the four games with Tagovailoa on injured reserve. In the loss to Indianapolis last weekend, Hill caught just one pass for eight yards.
“It makes a lot of difference [having him back],” Hill said. “Tua – him and Mike [McDaniel], they’ve got this real special connection. He allows Tua to be Tua. Tua has a connection with all the guys, all of us spend a lot of time with Tua so the connection is there.
“Then when you bring that all on the field, it magnifies everything that we do – throws are on time, play calling, the operation is faster. He just does a great job of commanding this offense.”
Hill has always had high praise for Tagovailoa since joining the Dolphins in 2022. Shortly after joining the Dolphins, he called Tagovailoa the “most accurate” quarterback in the NFL. Hill’s best statistical seasons have indeed been with Tagovailoa at quarterback.
Hill totaled over 1,700 yards in each of his first two years with the Dolphins and wasn’t far off from league MVP contention a season ago. Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards in 2023 and generated MVP chatter too. If this dynamic duo can get back to where they have been, the Dolphins will be a very difficult offense to stop.
Miami is in need of wins in a hurry if they hope to salvage their season. It all starts against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.
