TAGOVAILOA ‘NOT 100%’ IN MIAMI LOSS
Tua Tagovailoa didn’t expect to be the star quarterback talking about a losing streak.
The Miami Dolphins QB made his first start in a month, returning from fractured ribs though he said he’s “not 100 percent” yet.
Still, the Dolphins were facing a Jacksonville Jaguars team on a 20-game losing streak.
Now, their transatlantic flight home from London will feel even longer after losing 23-20 on Matthew Wright’s 53-yard field goal as time expired. It was Miami’s fifth consecutive loss.
“To me, it doesn’t matter how I performed today. We lost,” Tagovailoa said. “It’s tough to kind of critique how I performed or how any of our guys performed. It’s tough in the locker room right now. Take a look at that when we get back to Florida.“
Tagovailoa finished 33 of 47 for 329 yards with two touchdown passes to Jaylen Waddle. He also had a bad interception late in the third quarter one play after Trevor Lawrence fumbled on a hit from defensive end Christian Wilkins.
The Dolphins haven’t won since beating New England in the season opener,
back when Miami was considered a possible playoff team after a 10-6 season in 2020.
Tagovailoa spent three weeks on injured reserve with fractured ribs stemming from a hit early in Week 2 against the Bills.
The former Alabama QB wasn’t sacked on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, though he did scramble several times to avoid pressure.
“I’m not 100 percent but I was 100 percent ready to be
out there,” Tagovailoa said. “That’s all I can tell you. I would have never put myself in the position to go out and play if I knew I would be in a position where I would hurt myself.”
Browns a hurting bunch
Kareem Hunt left the field on a cart and Baker Mayfield’s left arm was in a sling after the game on a rough day for the Cleveland Browns.
Hunt suffered a calf injury in the fourth quarter of a loss to Arizona on Sunday. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Hunt did not injure his Achilles tendon and will undergo further imaging today.
Mayfield reinjured his left shoulder but plans to play Thursday night against Denver.
“I mean, it dislocated again and then slipped out again on a non-contact play, so just got to figure out a way to get better,” he said.
More injuries
Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a calf strain on the game’s final play in a win at New England and will be evaluated today. “It was a little pain,” Prescott said. “I didn’t like what I felt. I could’ve kept playing if I had to. I’ll be fine.”
Wide receivers took a beating: Kadarius Toney (ankle) didn’t make it through the first drive for the New York Giants. Parris Campbell hurt his foot in the first half during Indianapolis’ win over Houston. T.Y. Hilton didn’t finish the game after making his season debut with the Colts, but he said his quad injury isn’t serious.
Houston safety Terrence Brooks was to spend the night in Indianapolis because of a bruised lung. Brooks left in the first half after getting beat on a 51-yard TD pass from Carson Wentz
to Campbell. Texans coach David Culley already ruled Brooks out of next week’s game.
Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson was carted off with a torn left Achilles tendon in the third quarter of Kansas City’s victory at Washington. Teammate Anthony Hitchens injured his right elbow on a hit in the second period that was flagged for unnecessary roughness. The linebacker is set to have an MRI.
Packers center Josh Myers was helped off the field after injuring his knee on a running play on the opening possession and did not return.
Bengals guard Jackson Carman, who returned from the COVID-19 list, left Cincinnati’s victory at Detroit in the third quarter because of an illness.
Cowboys cornerback left tackle Tyron Smith left in the third quarter with an ankle issue. Dallas beat New England in overtime. The Patriots lost safety Adrian Phillips (foot) and cornerback Jonathan Jones (rib) in the first quarter and linebackers Christian Barmore
(shoulder) and Chase Winovich (hamstring) were both sidelined in the third quarter.