Miami Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa Downgraded To ‘Doubtful’ Ahead Of Sunday Game

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is unlikely to play against the Browns on Sunday and is now in danger of missing a game that could decide if the Dolphins move forward in the playoffs. Surprisingly, Tagovailoa, who was initially listed as questionable with a hip injury was downgraded to doubtful on the injury report, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The star quarterback had suffered a serious hip injury in college at Alabama, and now a hip injury in the NFL looks like it can keep him off the field, for the next match at least.Schefter noted Tagovailoa "still is pushing to play," but if he does not play, backup Tyler Huntley would be slated to start in a game. “Dolphins are downgrading Tua Tagovailoa to doubtful for Sunday’s game at Cleveland due to a hip injury, per sources. Tagovailoa still is pushing to play Sunday, but if he can’t, Tyler Huntley would be in line to replace him,’ Schefter wrote on X.Also Read: “It never stuck in my mind": Tua Tagovailoa shuts down retirement talk, affirms commitment to NFL despite concussion concernsTagovailoa missed four games earlier this season due to a concussion which he suffered during Week 2 and he could only clear the concussion protocol before Week 8. The last injury was the diagnosed concussion of his NFL career. Tagovailoa told reporters ahead of Week 8 that he had been free of concussion symptoms since the day after the loss to the Bills on Week 2. The QB had also shared that he chose not to wear Guardian Cap, which is a sort of helmet endorsed by the NFL since it’s associated with decreased concussion risk. ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques noted that Tagovailoa wears a specially-designed quarterback helmet with a higher safety grade than a regular helmet covered by the Guardian Cap.Tagovailoa started this season with fewer than 65 per cent of his passes for 483 yards, two touchdowns and three picks prior to Week 2. Huntley, who could play in his place in the next game had played three games for the Dolphins this season, bringing in 377 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. But fans have noted that despite his prowess it’s unlikely that he could lead the Dolphins offence like Tagovailoa has. For Miami, playing this crucial game without their starter quarterback is going to be a challenge no doubt.