Tua Tagovailoa, quarterback of Miami Dolphins, will feature in Sunday Week 8 vs Atlanta Falcon, despite being included in the injury report of the team with an illness. The Dolphins confirmed that Tagovailoa had been added to the list early on Sunday without any game status designation, so he remains on course to play.
Head coach Mike McDaniel declared during the week that Tagovailoa would be the starter, although he had a poor performance in the 31-6 loss at Miami to the Cleveland Browns. At the end of that game, the 27-year-old was sent to the bench after having thrown three interceptions and not having made it to 100 passing yards. This was his second consecutive three-picks game, which was one of the most difficult periods of his NFL career.
The statistics Tagovailoa has had this season are inconsistent. He has managed to pass 1,313 yards, 11TDS, 10 interceptions through seven games, and the Miami team has lost interest in its title to a 1-6 record. The Dolphins are now on their third consecutive game loss in a row and are in dire need of a turnaround as the trade midseason deadline draws closer.
Tagovailoa worked lightly on the weekend and was excited to play, in spite of the illness. Miami needs him, and in particular, the team offense is struggling to get a rhythm without a number of missing contributors. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (with a hamstring problem) is set to take the field, and explosive running back De’Von Achane has also been declared fit. Tight end, Darren Waller, is on injured reserve though.
McDaniel stated that quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Zach Wilson got into practice sharing snaps with Tagovailoa out of practice and trained one of them as the primary backup in case of an emergency.
Conversely, Falcons will also begin with Kirk Cousins instead of injured quarterback Michael Penix Jr., as Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have some extra experience. Defense in Atlanta has been among the more under-rated aspects of the NFC and particularly at home.
Tagovailoa will want revenge after a two-game period marked by poor performance in terms of turnovers. The game against Sunday will give him an opportunity to start fresh, shut the critics, and give Miami its second victory of the season. A good performance would also enable to rebuild the confidence in the Dolphins offense just before the trade deadline when the Dolphins will make vital decisions.
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