Tua Tagovailoa is being encouraged to slide when he makes his expected return to the field. After experiencing a concussion that led to hospitalization in 2022, he demonstrated a willingness to engage physically by lowering his shoulder against a defender during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Coach Mike McDaniel noted that Tagovailoa expressed to him on the sidelines that he “needed that” contact after a period of recovery from his head injury. However, with Tagovailoa set to start against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday, McDaniel’s advice has shifted significantly.
“My answer would be: ‘You don’t need that one’ this time around,” McDaniel stated, emphasizing the importance of Tagovailoa being cautious and smart about self-protection on the field.
Medical professionals have cleared Tagovailoa to resume playing football following a concussion sustained in Week 2. His tendency to scramble has sparked discussions among teammates, especially after he took a hit from Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a recent scramble instead of opting to slide.
“We’ve been talking to him ever since his injury,” running back Raheem Mostert commented. “I’ve been telling him, ‘Hey, you need to work on sliding.’ We joke about it, but he knows he has to be more careful.”
The Cardinals feature quarterback Kyler Murray, whose agility and speed make scrambling a key aspect of his gameplay. Currently, he ranks third among NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards with 325 and recently showcased his abilities with a 44-yard rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.
“We certainly have to account for that,” said Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. “Murray is exceptional in terms of speed. You might think you have him cornered, but he can outrun defenders effortlessly. He resembles Tyreek Hill playing quarterback.”
While the Dolphins will aim to contain Murray’s scrambling, they also plan to leverage Tagovailoa’s strengths to revitalize their offense, which has struggled recently.
“He’s going to be accurate; the ball will be catchable, soft in your hands, and on time,” wide receiver Tyreek Hill remarked. “Expect sharp throws.”
Murray acknowledged the difficulty of making quick decisions between staying in the pocket to throw or taking off to run, admitting he missed an open Marvin Harrison Jr. on a play where he chose to scramble instead.
He added, “I don’t think defenses enjoy facing a mobile quarterback. I’d much rather play against someone who can’t move.”
This week, the Cardinals faced another setback with linebacker Dennis Gardeck being sidelined for the season due to a torn ACL. Gardeck led the team with three sacks and was a vital contributor on special teams.
This injury is part of a larger trend for the Cardinals’ defense, which has also lost linebacker BJ Ojulari, defensive lineman Justin Jones, and defensive lineman Bilal Nichols for the season. Despite these challenges, the Cardinals managed a solid performance in their last game, allowing 395 total yards but preventing any touchdowns.
