Miami Dolphins rule out Tua Tagovailoa against the Bills

The Miami Dolphins make their first playoff appearance since 2016 this Sunday, but they will do it without Tua Tagovailoa.

Speaking to reporters today, head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed that Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had not been cleared from concussion protocols and had been officially ruled out for this Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.

Miami Dolphins won’t have Tua Tagovailoa for Bills playoff matchup

The news is a disappointing blow for the Dolphins, who have seen their top quarterback suffer at least two concussions this season, while having to put him through protocols three times.

When Tagovailoa is on the field, he undoubtedly gives the Dolphins the best chance to win and was demonstrating how he is the right man for the job, throwing for 3548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions through 13 games.

Some of his play earlier in the season raised the question of MVP potential, with the Dolphins sitting 8-3 at one point and the team on a hot streak behind Tagovailoa’s arm. But that faded through a losing streak that saw the former Alabama Crimson Tide star sidelined once again.

With Teddy Bridgewater also suffering injury in his stead, 2022 seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson, out of Kansas State, was the man to step up and manage the team to an 11-6 victory over the New York Jets, securing their place in the post-season.

Now, Thompson looks set to be tasked with leading the team into their first playoff appearance since the 2016 season, facing off against AFC East rivals the Buffalo Bills.

Facing the Josh Allen-led Bills was always going to be a difficult task after they clinched back-to-back division titles, but without Tagovailoa and with Thompson under center, that has just increased in difficulty.

The Dolphins will need the defense to step up once again, as they did against the Jets, while also incorporating the run game more than they have throughout the 2022 season.

Some slither of positivity is that Raheem Mostert has not been ruled out of the game and could potentially have an important role out of the backfield if he is fit enough to play.

Reaching the playoffs was a must for the Miami Dolphins this year, and they have achieved that goal, but it looks unlikely that they will be able to progress beyond the wild card round and will have to settle for simply making it after facing so much adversity.

The 2023 edition of this team will be something to pay attention to once the final result is confirmed on Sunday, as expectations will be to improve on simply ‘making it’ and looking at solutions to get beyond the initial stage of the post-season.