Tua Tagovailoa's love for the game of football is unmatched. He recently stated, 'I love this game and I love it to the death of me.' Those powerful words could not have summed up his enduring passion more aptly. This sentiment is now at the forefront of everyone's minds as he achieves a major milestone on the road to recovery - successfully obtaining clearance to return to practice after a concussion.
Following intense speculation surrounding the extent of his injury, this long-awaited development provides immense relief for the Miami Dolphins' fanbase. Given the growing awareness surrounding player safety, especially in regards to head injuries, fans were initially worried that Tagovailoa might be out for an extended period of time. Despite these fears, however, Tua appears on track to defying those odds.
Speaking in a press conference, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the timeline for Tagovailoa's return to action. McDaniel stated that, while Tua has been cleared to take part in practice, his participation will be closely monitored to ensure there's no risk of further injury. No exact date has been provided for his return, leaving many to speculate about his likely availability for their upcoming games.
Notably, one trend Tagovailoa won't be a part of when he returns to the gridiron is the adoption of the Guardian Cap - a safety innovation geared towards minimizing the impact of head injuries. When questioned on this decision, he made it clear that his full trust lies in the safety measures already at his disposal and the proven drills he has utilized throughout his football career.