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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is showing how valuable he is for the Dolphins' hopes of having a real offense more by being off the field than by being on it. Despite Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel's reputation as a genius offensive mind, without Tagovailoa this year, the Dolphins have faceplanted, stumbling to a 1-3 start with the likes of Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle, and Tyler Huntley under center.
The Dolphins have managed just 205 and 184 yards of total offense in the games that Tagovailoa hasn't played in. For reference, the New England Patriots have the worst full-season average at 238.8. The Dolphins aren't a watchable team without Tua, and not only that but all their skill position players have also suffered.
Fantasy managers of literally every fantasy-relevant Dolphins player wish Tagovailoa had never been injured and was playing. Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De'Von Achane's fantasy values have tanked while Raheem Mostert's is now virtually zero. So, when is Tagovailoa returning? Will we get a respite from this horror? Let's dive in below.
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Tua Tagovailoa Injury Update for Fantasy Football
There's good news. Though there were rumors about Tagovailoa retiring (come on, the guy worked his whole life to do this and is making millions playing the sport he loves, it's not happening), and ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that he is expected to return to play this season.
"I think at this point and time, it would be more surprising if Tua didn't come back." @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/YmclTFr3Fa
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) October 1, 2024
Tagovailoa is reportedly symptom-free, and supposedly the neurologists haven't told him that he can't play football anymore. Schefter stated that he'd be more surprised if he didn't return. If Tua truly is symptom-free, then he will return, and probably as soon as he can. He must miss four games because he was placed on Injured Reserve after Week 2.
Since Miami has an early bye week, that means Tua is eligible to return in Week 8 when the Dolphins take on the Arizona Cardinals, and things seem to be trending in that direction.
Tua Tagovailoa Fantasy Football Outlook
Tagovailoa had a solid game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 but didn't find much success in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have an elite pass defense, though, and were able to shut down both Hill and Waddle, so it's not a huge surprise.
Tua got his injury running the ball, so it's safe to assume that coach McDaniel will do everything in his power to stop him from running again. That means he likely won't have any rushing upside, but he was never much of a runner anyway. Tua's playing is much more important to Miami's skill-position players.
Tua shouldn't be starting in 1-QB leagues, but, in multi-QB leagues, he should be on all rosters and is a must-start due to scarcity at the position and the fact that he's a competent starting QB.
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