Flores: Tua’s hip OK so far

Coach ‘pleased’ with play, progress of all quarterbacks competing for starting job

Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores offered a blunt assessment on the performances by rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa so far before the start of Wednesday’s third training camp practice.

“As for how he’s looked the first two days, some good some bad. Some good throws and good decisions, some throws that aren’t so good and some not so good decisions,” Flores said.

“Tua, like all the quarterbacks, we could probably say the same for all of them. … A lot of improvements need to be made, but I’m pleased with all of our quarterbacks as well as a lot of the players competing now.”

Flores declined, for the second time this week, to discuss whether Tagovailoa’s work load is being managed with scheduled rest during practices.

“He’s coming off the hip, and I think he’s looked good thus far physically,” Flores added of Tagovailoa. “If guys can go, and they’re feeling good, then we revisit it on a daily basis. Again, case by case.”

Biegel injury ‘a tough loss’

Flores also shared some disappointment on losing outside linebacker Vince Biegel to a torn Achilles tendon during Tuesday’s practice. Biegel was placed on injured reserve after Wednesday’s practice.

“It was unfortunate, him getting injured. It’s a significant injury. It’s a tough loss to us,” Flores said of Biegel.

“As I’ve said to the team, Vince embodies a lot of things we look for in a Dolphin. He’s tough. He’s smart. Football is important to him. He’s a team-first guy. It’s a tough loss.

Flores also said Biegel “is going to work extremely hard to get back stronger than ever.”

Plan for Williams

While Flores declined to disclose Tagovailoa’s load management, he shared wide receiver Preston Williams has a plan in place as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament he sustained last season.

Williams practiced on Monday, and even lined up to return punts (he suffered the injury on a punt return against the Jets last season), but he did not practice with the team on Tuesday.

“We’ve got a plan for him, and that will, includes some days he’s not out there. I expect he’ll be out there [Wednesday],” Flores said of Williams. And Williams did indeed participate in practice on Wednesday.

“You may not see him on the field, but he’s working whether in the weight room or the bubble or training room. He’s always working hard to get back. From a management standpoint, we want to take care of all of our players.”

“In some cases, it includes load management or a day off here or there,” Flores said.

No fans at opener

The Dolphins will play in an empty stadium without fans when they play their season opener on the road against New England, the Patriots announced Tuesday.

“It’ll be a different experience. No one has ever played in an atmosphere like that. I don’t know how it’ll feel,” said Flores, a former longtime Patriots assistant.

“It’ll be the first time for all of us when we get there. But we’ll try to make the best of the situation. At the end of the day, football is played between the lines, and we’ll just focus on that.”

PETER MCMAHON/MIAMI DOLPHINS Wide receiver Preston Williams, who is recovering from a torn ACL, works out at training camp at the team’s facility in Davie last week.