Tagovailoa the defender?
Dolphins’ rookie QB chases down Chargers player after fumble
Tua Tagovailoa can seemingly do it all.
He can even tackle, too. Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins’ rookie quarterback, had to show off some of his skills as a defender in Sunday’ s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
After a poor snap by Dolphins center Ted Karras led to a Chargers fumble recovery, Tagovailoa chased down and tackled Los Angeles linebacker Nick Vigil, stopping him after a 44-yard return near midfield.
Tag ovai lo a wrestled Vi gil down from the top of his football pads and pulled him to the field shortly before Dolphins tight end Adam Shaheen joined in to bring Vigil down.
Still, Tagovailoa was rewarded with his first career tackle in the NFL.
And Tagovailoa showed once again he has no lingering effects from the hip injury he sustained at Alabama as Monday marks one year since it occurred.
Tagovailoa’s tackle saved a Chargers touchdown return, although it came following a Dolphins offensive drive that could have saw Miami take a 17-0 or 21-0 lead inthe second quarter.
Special teams come through
The Dolphins did not have to wait long before their special teams unit made a major play during Sunday’s game.
How about on the fourth play from scrimmage?
Dolphins linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel blocked the Chargers’ punton the first offensive drive of the game, whichwas recovered by Miami defensive back Jamal Perry at the 1-yard line.
The play set up Miami’s first touchdown of the day: An easy 1-yard run up the left side for running back Salvon Ahmed.
Before Sunday’s game, the Dolphins were able to capitalize on two defensive touchdowns and a special teams touchdown in the past twoweeks.
Their early, game-changing special teams play led to a touchdown and came within the first three minutes of Sunday’s game.
The score also marked the first career touchdown for Ahmed, an undrafted rookie who started in place of offseason acquisitions Matt Breida and Jordan Howard against the Chargers.
Dolphins nearly lose Van Noy
Dolphins outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy sustained a hip injury in the second quarter, but was able to return in the second half.
Van Noy was seen working on his movements on the sideline with a trainer as the second half got underway, before joining his teammates the Dolphins bench.
He re-entered the game as the Chargers approached the goal line, on a play that ended with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert finding tight end Hunter Henry for a touchdown that trimmed Miami’s lead to, 17-14, midway throughthe thirdquarter.
Van Noy nearly did not play Sunday. He was activated off the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday, roughly two days after hewas first designated on the list due to a close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. near
Dolphins keep on scoring
With a 17-7 lead at halftime, the Dolphins scored at least 17 points in the first half for the fifth consecutive game.
It’s the first time since at least 2000 the Dolphins achieved that feat, according to the team.
They have also scored at least 17 points in six of the past seven games.
Pregame notes
Breida and Howard were among five players inactive for Miami against the Chargers on Sunday.
Breida missed his second straight game due to a hamstring injury, while Howard, who has been steady inshort-yardage situations, scoring four touchdowns near the goal line, was inactive for the fourth time this season.
Their absences paved the way for Ahmedto carry the load.
Ahmed, an undrafted rookie who played at Washington, played in his first game last week, leading Miami with 38 yards on seven carries against the Arizona Cardinals.
Breida, a veteran Miami acquired in a trade during the 2020 NFL draft, has 128 yards on 37 carries with seven catches for 79 yards for the Dolphins this season. The Dolphins are hopeful he can return from his injury nextweek.
Howard’s 1.2 yards per carry average (28 carries for 33 yards) has not been ideal in his first season with the Dolphins after the five-year veteran signed a two-year deal this past offseason.
Dolphins second-year running back Myles Gaskin, who leads the team with 100 rushes for 387 yards and two touchdowns with 30 receptions, is on injured reserve due to a knee sprain. He missed his second straight game.
Dolphins rookie receiver Lynn Bowden Jr., who came off the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list this past week, was inactive. He missed his second straight game. Full back Chandler Cox and offensive tackl eAdam Pankey were also inactive.
Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe (concussion) and defensive back Jamal Perry (foot), who were questionable to play, were active.
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa, a former St. Thomas Aquinas High standout and third overall pick in 2016, did not play due to a concussion.