NFL Rumors: Tua 'Symptom-Free,' Could Start for Dolphins in Week 8 After Concussion

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is "symptom-free" as he continues his recovery from a concussion he suffered in a Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter (via Pro Football Network's Adam Beasley).

Schefter added that Tagovailoa could return as soon as Week 8, when Miami hosts the Arizona Cardinals.

Week 8 is also the earliest Tagovailoa is eligible to play. The Dolphins placed him on injured reserve, which requires him to miss a minimum of four games, and they have a bye in Week 6.

There's no question the team needs the 2023 Pro Bowler back under center.

Skylar Thompson was 13-of-19 for 107 yards before he suffered a rib injury in a 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Miami started Tyler Huntley on Monday against the Tennessee Titans and he threw for 96 yards on 22 attempts in a 31-12 defeat. The offense has looked terrible the last two weeks.

Whether Miami should activate Tagovailoa is likely going to be a different question a lot of fans ask when we reach that point, though.

The 26-year-old has been diagnosed with three concussions as an NFL player and another when he was a junior at Alabama. In 2022, he was stretchered off the field after getting concussed in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

From the moment Tagovailoa got hurt this time, the gravity of the situation wasn't lost on fans and former players. Prominent voices suggested he should—if not retire straight away—think long and hard about his future in the NFL.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the southpaw has no intention of walking away from football. Schefter added he planned to meet with neurologists "to make the most informed decision about his future."

Even assuming he checks all of the necessary boxes and gets assurances from his specialists, the concern over Tagovailoa's health won't be going away entirely once he's playing again.