Tua Tagovailoa returns to practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday before targeting the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 to make his comeback as a player.
The Dolphins quarterback suffered his third official concussion in two seasons in Week 2 when he collided with Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills.
Now, according to The AthleticThe 26-year-old is ready to return and is feeling good despite concerns that his latest injury could end his career.
Tagovailoa also showed concussion symptoms in a fourth separate incident in the 2022 season but was cleared to continue playing.
That day, he wobbled on his feet after hitting the back of his head on the ground after taking a big hit – also against the Bills. He returned with what the team believed was a minor back injury.
Tua Tagovailoa plans to return for the Miami Dolphins in Week 8 vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Dolphins quarterback was injured in a collision with Damar Hamlin in Week 2 of the season
It’s the fourth major concussion of Tagovailoa’s career at age 26
But four days later, Tagovailoa hit his head again while playing against the Cincinnati Bengals and was left unconscious. He was carried off the field on a stretcher.
That same season, he suffered another concussion during a Christmas Day game against the Green Bay Packers.
It went unnoticed at the time and he was not monitored during the match. Dolphins head coach Mike Daniels later revealed that they raised the alarm when Tagovailoa did not remember certain parts of the game when she watched the tape back the next day.
Tagovailoa was shut down for the season and admitted he was considering leaving the game.
“I thought about it for a while,” he admitted in 2023. “After sitting down with my family, sitting down with my wife and having those kinds of conversations. It would be really hard for me to leave this game.
‘It’s my health. It’s my body. I feel like this is the best for me and my family. I love football.’
The Dolphins are 2-3 on the season and have struggled without their No. 1 quarterback, suffering tough losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans in recent weeks.
They face the Indianapolis Colts this weekend with Skylar Thompson at QB for what should be one last time before Tagovailoa returns.