The Miami Dolphins are having a Cinderella-like NFL season in 2022.
After facing three playoff favorite teams to start the season, the Dolphins stand atop the NFL with a 3-0 record.
However, the team is still seen as underdogs as they go into Cincinnati to face the 1-2 Bengals.
With the Dolphins excelling and the Bengals struggling, how are they considered underdogs to Joe Burrow‘s team?
An Injury To Tagovailoa Might Hurt Dolphins
In the Dolphins’ win against the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a head injury.
Injury Update | Tua Tagovailoa has a head injury and is questionable to return.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) September 25, 2022
After he was checked for a concussion, he cleared protocols to return to the game.
However, he talked during the post-game press conference about how he has a back injury.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa on his back injury pic.twitter.com/eohGJj8prK
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 25, 2022
But it seems like some people aren’t buying the story the Dolphins are selling to people on Tagovailoa’s injury.
The Dolphins: “Tua just has a back injury” pic.twitter.com/jOZ72kjDHW
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) September 25, 2022
The NFLPA wants a review done since medical staff allowed Tagovailoa to return to that game.
NFLPA has told the NFL that it wants to initiate a review of the concussion protocols in light of Tua Tagovailoa’s return to today’s game in Miami, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 25, 2022
If he is in fact dealing with a concussion and not a back injury, it spells trouble for the Dolphins.
With the NFLPA investigating this issue, the Dolphins can face serious action against them, not to mention their star QB could be hurt.
These things mean Miami can be in trouble if Tagovailoa really has a concussion and not a back injury.
Can Dolphins Survive The Storm Without Tagovailoa?
Tagovailoa has started this NFL season off right.
The young QB has done remarkable things this season.
However, if he’s out, whether because of a back injury or something else, the Dolphins won’t have a leader on offense.
The current backup for their young QB is Teddy Bridgewater, a veteran QB who’s a bridge QB in the NFL.
So, Teddy Bridgewater was indeed a bridge.
Give him a salute, though.
Team captain. Only offensive player to win the Darrent Williams Good Guy Award. Best passer rating and TD-INT ratio of any Broncos full-time starting QB since Peyton Manning’s retirement. pic.twitter.com/IvXjOu4X0Y
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 8, 2022
While Bridgewater can be solid sometimes, he’s not the leader Tagovailoa is turning into this season.
Miami’s offense needs a powerful leader at quarterback.
Teddy isn’t that leader, meaning the offense will suffer without their current starting QB.
However, there’s something that can save the team, even if they lose their starting QB.
Hill Gives Miami A Superstar On Offense
In the NFL, some receivers are the players who make QBs look good.
This can be the case in Miami, with Tyreek Hill on their roster.
Hill is the sort of player who can easily help Bridgewater look good.
With his assistance, the Dolphins receiver can help save the team’s offense.
So, even if there’s a worst-case scenario in Miami, they have a weapon on offense in Hill.
However, Hill doesn’t have to do all the work to help out his team.
His being on the field has already given Jaylen Waddle a career year at the start of the season.
While Hill distracts the defense, Waddle has been left open for big plays.
If Bridgewater can use Hill properly to open up the game for Waddle, the Dolphins can continue to shock NFL fans.
All it takes is him seeing what Tagovailoa has done already this season with Hill on offense.
NEXT: A Surprising Dolphins Receiver Is Getting A Promotion