The Miami Dolphins have lost their starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for Week 3.
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores announced that Tagovailoa’s fractured ribs will sideline him for the team’s upcoming game against the 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders.
#Dolphins coach Brian Flores announces that after further testing, Tua Tagovailoa has fractured ribs and won’t play this week.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2021
Tagovailoa was injured as a result of a hit he took against the Buffalo Bills in the Dolphins’ Week 2 blowout loss.
Tua Tagovailoa is hurt. Here is a video of the injury (via @BradleyGelber)
Hoping Tua is okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2BDPnQBfLQ
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) September 19, 2021
With Tagavailoa sidelined, the Dolphins will go with backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Brissett is a good backup by NFL standards; however, he has struggled with accuracy in the past.
Worst Completion Percentage since 2018 (min 12 starts):
1. Josh Rosen: 54.7%
2. Drew Lock: 59.1%
3. Sam Darnold: 59.8%
4. Jacoby Brissett: 60.13%
5. Dwayne Haskins: 60.14%
6. Blake Bortles: 60.25%
7. Joe Flacco: 61.5%
8. Andy Dalton: 61.6%
9. Josh Allen: 61.7%— Cody Manning (@CodyTalksNFL) June 25, 2021
He was the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 after Andrew Luck abruptly retired.
Tagovailoa started the season well as the definitive QB1 for the Dolphins.
Recall that Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tagovailoa tag-teamed as QB1 last season.
Fitzpatrick is now with the Washington Football Team, ironically on injured reserve.
Houston, We Have A Problem
It is unclear if Tagovailoa might miss more than one start with his rib injury.
Ribs are obviously a sensitive area and difficult to heal especially for a starting quarterback subjected to tackling in that area of the body.
Would the Dolphins make the call and orchestrate the deal that many thought could happen over the summer?
The Dolphins have emerged as frontrunners in trade talks with the Texans for QB Deshaun Watson, sources tell @CharlesRobinson.
Houston seeks three first-round picks and two second-round picks. pic.twitter.com/nOUenaKFBV
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 28, 2021
Will they talk with the Texans about shaking loose Deshaun Watson who is doing nothing more for the Texans than sitting on the bench and collecting a huge paycheck?
Deshaun Watson isn't suspended, he's just not playing because … he doesn't feel like it. And the Texans are still paying him his $10 million salary. Have we talked enough about how weird this all is?
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) September 22, 2021
The Dolphins have draft picks which is what the Texans reportedly wanted over the summer.
The Dolphins interest in Watson is not a hoax. There’s been a mutual infatuation for a long time. Not sure what this means for Tua Tagovailoa, but the Dolphins appear to be the leaders to acquire Deshaun Watson. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.
— Neal Driscoll (@NealDriscoll) August 28, 2021
The sense of urgency could be greater now with Tagavailoa’s uncertain injury status.
Dolphins Schedule
If Tagavailoa’s injury lingers, the Dolphins have the Colts on the docket for October 3.
Brissett could stick around as the starter to face his old team; however, the big game coming up is on October 10 at Tampa Bay against the Super Bowl Champions.
It is not out of the realm of crazy 2021 possibilities that Watson, not currently serving any suspension by the NFL, could be the starting quarterback for the Dolphins on October 10.
As always, we will have to wait and see how all of this plays out.
