The Miami Dolphins were hoping for some good news regarding Tua Tagovailoa, who left last weekend’s game against the Buffalo Bills with a rib injury.
While the second-year quarterback got good news when initial x-rays were negative, word came down on Wednesday that Tua’s ribs were indeed fractured after further testing. That means Tagovailoa will miss this weekend’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Flores on the revelation about Tua's fractured ribs: "We decided to run some more tests, we ran them, and we got this information. It’s unfortunate. I don’t want to put a timetable on it. He’s taking it day to day."
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) September 22, 2021
“We decided to run some more tests, we ran them, and we got this information,” Flores said, via Jeff Darlington of ESPN. “It’s unfortunate. I don’t want to put a timetable on it. He’s taking it day-to-day.”
“This is a tough kid,” Flores added. “He wants to play. He’s trying to play. But we’re going to save him from himself.”
Flores did not say that Tagovailoa would be placed on injured reserve and that he would likely be returning at some point this season.
Starting in his place will be Jacoby Brissett, who went 24-of-40 for 169 yards and an interception in last weekend’s 35-0 loss to the Bills. Brissett has plenty of starting experience as he is 12-20 overall, most of which was with the Indianapolis Colts. However, he hasn’t started an NFL game since 2019.
Brian Flores on Tua: "Nobody wants this. … It's not ideal, but we're going to move forward with the guys we have available." Jacoby Brissett will start. I would assume Reid Sinnett will be promoted.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) September 22, 2021
“We’re going to move forward with Jacoby. The team understands that. It’s not ideal, but we’re going to move forward with the guys we have available,” said Flores in what doesn’t come off like the most ringing endorsement.
The Dolphins (1-1) travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on Sunday at 4:05 p.m.