Tagovailoa recovers from rocky start with TD drive
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made his preseason debut alongside several other key starters against the Houston Texans on Saturday.
The fourth-year player was not among the list of players the team announced pregame as not expected to suit up in Houston. And when he took his first snap, it marked his first game since Christmas Day, when his season effectively ended after a second diagnosed concussion.
In two drives, Tagovailoa experienced a little bit of everything — good and bad.
On the first play from scrimmage, Tagovailoa’s pass attempt, intended for tight end Tyler Kroft, was intercepted by linebacker Denzel Perryman. Tagovailoa disengaged from a blocker to make the tackle and prevent a pick-six.
After a defensive stop and turnover on downs, Tagovailoa was soon back on the field for another drive. His second possession began ominously, with center Connor Williams sending an errant shotgun snap to him. Tagovailoa handed the ball to running back Raheem Mostert just in time to avoid a safety. After the mishap, Tagovailoa settled in, showing flashes of the player who led the NFL in passer rating last season.
He completed 5 of 6 passes — three of his completions were third-down conversions — for 61 yards on a 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive. Mostert scored on a 2-yard run to give the Dolphins their first touchdown of the preseason and a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.
Tagovalioa finished the game 5 of 7 for 61 yards and one interception (58.3 passer rating). He also took his first hit in the pocket, being shoved to the ground by defensive lineman Sheldon Rankins.
A focus of Tagvoailoa during the offseason was learning jiu-jitsu to alter the way he falls. In many of his head injuries, the back of his helmet slammed against the ground, but he kept his neck elevated when hit by Rankins.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said on Thursday that he expected Tagovailoa to play in the preseason at some point. Last season, Tagovailoa similarly made his preseason debut in the second exhibition matchup.
Second-year quarterback Skylar Thompson entered the game for Tagovailoa on the second drive, as he continues his competition with Mike White for the backup spot.
In three-first half drives, Thompson completed 7 of 11 passes for 57 yards and two touchdown passes to running back Salvon
Ahmed and wide receiver
Braxton Berrios. Miami led 21-3 at halftime.
Thompson started the second half but left the game after taking a hit on the first drive. White entered the game for Thompson.
The list of players announced as not expected to play were cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey, Cam Smith, Keion Crossen, Justin Bethel and Ethan Bonner; wide receivers
Jaylen Waddle and
Braylon Sanders; backs
Jeff Wilson Jr., Myles Gaskin and Alec Ingold; safety Brandon Jones; offensive linemen Terron
Armstead, Lester Cotton and Liam Eichenberg; and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
INJURY UPDATES
Dolphins offensive lineman Robert Jones appeared to sustain an injury in the second quarter of Saturday’s preseason game. After limping to the sideline, he was examined by trainers and then walked into the team’s locker room.
Jones, a third-year player, is one of multiple players competing for the left guard spot. He entered the game at right guard for starter Robert Hunt. Isaiah Wynn started at left guard.
Meanwhile, left tackle Armstead, who appeared to sustain a leg injury during Thursday’s joint practice, was seen on the sideline with a boot on his right leg.
After sustaining the injury on the first play of 11-on-11s in Houston, Armstead was carted into the Texans’ practice facility. NFL Network reported that Armstead does not need surgery and the veteran lineman posted on social media that his focus remains on being available for the regular season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10.
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