The Miami Dolphins are reportedly on track to get their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, back in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals.
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Tagovailoa will return to practice next week and the hope is that he will start against the Cardinals, which would mark his first appearance in a game since he suffered a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.
"Tua Tagovailoa is back. The Miami quarterback is set to practice this week and the hope is he will start in week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals, per sources," Russini wrote.
Head coach Mike McDaniel revealed earlier in the week that he expected Tua to play again this season, but did not give a timeline.
"I do expect to see him playing football in 2024," McDaniel said. "But where that is, exactly -- we'll let the process continue, since we still have time before he can even entertain anything. We'll make sure that he's diligent this week and assess after that."
The Dolphins have struggled mightily since Tagovailoa went down. They've lost three of four games (including the game Tua got hurt) while trying to fill the void with Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley.
Now, it appears Miami will have to navigate just one more game without their starting quarterback with a Week 7 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on tap.
The Dolphins will either be 2-4 or 3-3 upon Tagovailoa's return. Either way, there is still time for Miami to make a run to the playoffs once Tua gets back, although that will be a much more difficult task if the Dolphins lose to the Colts.
