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It’s time to ask: Is Tua Tagovailoa really the future of the Miami Dolphins?

By Jeremy Klump

Sep 19, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) takes on the field to warmup prior the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) takes on the field to warmup prior the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1), is help of the ground by Miami Dolphins offensive guard Jesse Davis (77), after being sacked by Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Daryl Williams (75) during first quarter action of their NFL game at Hard Rock Stadium Sunday in Miami Gardens. Tagovailoa did not return to action. BILL INGRAM/ Palm Beach Post Dolphins V Bills 01 /

Tagovailoa was reportedly in the best shape of his life to start the 2021 season. Unfortunately, his body already didn’t hold up in Week 2.

If his body can’t withstand playing elite-level NFL players, even in the best shape of his life, there are major red flags here because of his injury history in the past. And his injury history isn’t just little bumps and bruises.

Here is a list of Tagovailoa’s injuries since 2018 at Alabama (via Morgan Moriarty from SB Nation):

  1. Mar. 20, 2018: Tagovailoa breaks finger in spring practice (SURGERY)
  2. Oct. 6, 2018: Tagovailoa suffers sprained right knee
  3. Nov. 10, 2018: Tagovailoa leaves game against Mississippi State with quad injury
  4. Dec. 1, 2018: Tagovailoa suffers high ankle sprain during SEC Championship vs. Georgia (SURGERY)
  5. Oct. 20, 2019: Tagovailoa suffers high ankle sprain in opposite ankle (SURGERY)
  6. Nov. 16, 2019: Tagovailoa dislocates right hip against Mississippi State (SURGERY)

Since entering the NFL in 2020, here is a list of Tagovailoa’s injuries in Miami:

  1. Nov. 25, 2020: Tagovailoa suffers a thumb injury on his throwing hand in practice.
  2. Sep. 19, 2021: Tagovailoa fractures ribs against Buffalo Bills.

Now, I am no injury expert, but that list should concern even the biggest Tua fans out there. I think the four surgeries are a huge concern because we are talking about real injuries that need surgery to fix.

He also has now sustained two injuries in the NFL that have forced him to miss time. In his rookie season, his thumb injury forced him to miss one game. Now, after his most recent injury, he will miss two games in 2021 (I count the Bills game as a missed game), and likely more. He has the potential to miss around 3-6 games in 2021, just from his fractured ribs.

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