Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa says he loves football “to death” before returning to practice

CNN
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will return to practice on Wednesday after missing the last four games due to another concussion.

Tagovailoa must still clear concussion protocol to play in Sunday's home game against the Arizona Cardinals at Hard Rock Stadium.

The 26-year-old said it was his decision to play football again and he understood people's concern that he could get injured again.

“I appreciate your concern.” Tagovailoa told reporters on Monday. “I really do. I love this game and I love it to death. This is it.”

Tagovailoa said he would not wear a Guardian Cap, a soft-shell helmet, saying it was “a personal decision.”

When asked how much risk he takes again after multiple concussions, Tagovailoa said, “How much risk do we take when we get up in the morning to drive to work? We can get into a car accident.”

He continued: “Every time we all get dressed, we all run the risk of potentially getting injured, whether it's a concussion, a broken bone or anything you could risk by getting out of bed incorrectly .” You sprained your ankle. There’s a risk in everything and everyone, and I’m willing to take the risk.”

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that medical experts deemed Tagovailoa's return “safe.”

“I don’t mess around with schedules or try to overcook or make forecasts. When it comes to careers, you rely on experts and that’s exactly what we do here,” he said.

McDaniel said Tagovailoa needs to protect himself better on the field.

“I think he has a better understanding of his responsibility to the entire organization at this point … and feels a tremendous obligation to do everything in his power to be on the field. So part of it is protecting yourself.”

McDaniel added: “He has to be able to protect himself so that regardless of the first down conversion he tries to get, so he can be on the field with his team, he has to be smart like him Get in touch.” .”

Tagovailoa suffered another concussion on September 12 when he lunged for a first down and was hit by Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa was able to leave the field under his own power after the collision.

The Dolphins went 1-3 without their starting quarterback as the offense averaged 8.75 points per game in his absence, a league-lowest.