Dolphins Rumors: Miami Implements Jiu-Jitsu Workouts with Tua Tagovailoa and QBs

The Miami Dolphins have reportedly implemented some Jiu-Jitsu in their quarterback workouts in an effort to prevent Tua Tagovailoa and their other signal-callers from suffering concussions.

During an appearance on SportsCenter on Saturday morning, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said:

"I've checked on his health, I was told he's completely healthy now. Not only that, but he's been working on that Jiu-Jitsu that you've heard about; how to fall forward, how to protect his head in the pocket. Well, I was told the Dolphins actually implemented some of those Jiu-Jitsu workouts with their quarterbacks before practices. So, trying to get everybody used to falling down and being able to protect yourselves.

"I was told Tua is also taking some leadership steps recently. There was a practice where it was a little bit sloppy. He stopped the whole thing, sort of talked to the offense, maybe even laid into them a little bit. I was told that's something Tua would not have done a couple of years ago, but now he's a major voice in Miami."

Per Henry McKenna of Fox Sports, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said in March that Tua was practicing Jiu-Jitsu so he could learn how to fall safely after suffering two concussions last season.

Tagovailoa's first recorded concussion last season came in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals and resulted in him missing the next two games.

Just four days earlier against the Buffalo Bills, Tua exhibited concussion-like symptoms when he wobbled after taking a hit, but he passed concussion tests and returned to the game shortly thereafter.

Tagovailoa's second official concussion was suffered in a Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He did not show signs of a concussion during the game, but a head injury was discovered after the fact.

Tua went on to miss the final two games of the regular season and the Dolphins' playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round, but he is perfectly healthy ahead of the start of the 2023 season.

While injuries held Tua back to some degree last season, his third NFL campaign was still his best by far.

In 13 games, Tagovailoa went 8-5 and completed 64.8 percent of his passes for a career-high 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns, plus only eight interceptions.

Miami also reached the playoffs for the first time since 2016, although Tua was unable to play in the postseason.

Tagovailoa undoubtedly benefited from the acquisition of superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs, as Hill and Jaylen Waddle arguably gave Tua the best wide receiver tandem in the league.

Miami largely returns the same offense as last season with the exception of tight end Mike Gesicki, who signed with the AFC East rival New England Patriots in free agency.

If Tua can stay healthy in 2023, he has a chance to continue blossoming in McDaniel's offense and to potentially earn his first Pro Bowl selection and get the Dolphins in contention for an AFC East title.