Video: Manti Te'o Says Tua 'Feels an Obligation to' Dolphins Teammates to Return

Former NFL linebacker and Tagovailoa family friend Manti Te'o believes Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will attempt to return to the field in part because of the "obligation" he feels to his teammates.

He revealed as much during an interview with TMZ Sports that was published Sunday and said he believes Tagovailoa is "going to try to get back" after suffering a concussion during a Sept. 12 game against the Buffalo Bills.

"It's no surprise to me that he's going to try to do so," Te'o said. "That's just Tua being Tua. He loves the game. He feels an obligation to his teammates. That's just who he is. He plays hurt."

This comes after the former NFL linebacker became quite emotional on Good Morning Football the day after his friend suffered the injury:

Concussions are always worrisome for any player, but they are especially troubling with Tagovailoa given his recent history.

The Miami signal-caller suffered multiple concussions during the 2022 season, including one against the Cincinnati Bengals that hospitalized him and another against the Green Bay Packers that wasn't revealed until after he remained in and finished the game.

The NFL also altered its concussion policy that season after a hit Tagovailoa suffered during a game against the Bills.

Miami has struggled without him and is 1-3 overall and 0-2 since he's been sidelined. Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley have played quarterback in his absence.

As for Te'o, he played in the NFL from 2013 through 2020 for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears. He is still best known for starring during his collegiate career at Notre Dame.