Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is currently dealing with a unique hip injury that is affecting the surrounding muscles and his strength and mobility. According to sources the injury is also leaving him vulnerable to further injury.
Tagovailoa is unlikely to play in Sunday’s must-win game against the New York Jets due to the injury. Despite his desire to play when his teammates need him most Tagovailoa has been unable to gain the medical clearance he seeks to be on the field.
The injury is not related to the ankle surgery Tagovailoa underwent during his final season at Alabama in 2019. However Tagovailoa did say that his general feeling is worse than how he felt a week after the surgery. This gives an idea of the severity of pain he is enduring.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel explained that the injury is a unique muscle issue as a result of the hip. Tagovailoa first suffered the hip injury in Week 15 against the Texans and it worsened the following week against the 49ers.
The concern is that Tagovailoa risks making the injury far worse by playing before the swelling subsides and muscle tearing in the area heals. If it was only a pain issue Tagovailoa made clear he would be playing.
Tagovailoa has played in 11 games this season with one stint on injured reserve after he suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. When he has played he’s impressed with a career-high 72.9 completion percentage and 19 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
Tagovailoa is determined to play next week if the Dolphins make the playoffs. However it’s not a sure thing that he will be cleared to play even if Miami advances.
Leave a Reply