Tua Tagovailoa expected to be Dolphins’ starter next season; Terron Armstead active at Buffalo
The Miami Dolphins are expected to have quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remain the team’s starter in the 2023 season.
The team’s commitment to Tagovailoa was reported by ESPN on Sunday morning ahead of the Dolphins’ wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium.
Tagovailoa missed the Dolphins’ first postseason game in six years as he’s still in the concussion protocol after also missing the final two games of the regular season.
If Miami pulls off an upset to advance past Buffalo, Tagovailoa could clear the concussion protocol in time for a divisional-round matchup at the Kansas City Chiefs.
The report clears up two things: That medical professionals believe Tagovailoa, who was diagnosed with two concussions this season, can continue his playing career despite the head trauma and that the Dolphins will not pursue another starting-caliber quarterback this offseason to either replace Tagovailoa or compete with him.
Tagovailoa, in 13 games this season, led the NFL in passer rating.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are expected to address Tagovailoa’s standing with the franchise in their end-of-season press conferences.
Armstead active
Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead is active for the playoff game against the Bills.
Armstead, who earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection this season, entered Sunday questionable as he deals with toe, pectoral, knee and hip injuries, which kept him out the final two regular-season games.
While Armstead’s availability is a welcome sight, Miami goes into the wild-card matchup with other offensive line concerns. Tackles Brandon Shell (knee/ankle) and Kendall Lamm (ankle) were announced as inactive 90 minutes before the 1 p.m. kickoff. That after starting left guard Liam Eichenberg was downgraded from doubtful to out Saturday as he didn’t travel with the team. Shell has been the Dolphins’ starting right ankle with Austin Jackson on injured reserve.
In pregame warmups, the Dolphins showed right guard Robert Hunt lined up at right tackle with Robert Jones taking Hunt’s usual guard spot. In Eichenberg’s left guard spot, where Jones would back him up, was Lester Cotton, who was elevated from the Miami practice squad Saturday.
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, fullback Alec Ingold and wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. — who were all questionable — are active.
Other Dolphins inactives included Tagovailoa and running back Raheem Mostert, who were both deemed out earlier this past week. Healthy scratches were cornerback Noah Igbinoghene and tight end Tanner Conner.
Both Bills players that entered questionable — wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips — are among their inactives. Each has South Florida ties with Phillips a former Dolphin and McKenzie a high school product of American Heritage in Plantation.
Buffalo also has cornerback Christian Benford, safety Jared Mayden, linebacker Baylon Spector, offensive lineman Ike Boettger and tight end Tommy Sweeney inactive.
This story will be updated.
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