Tua Tagovailoa, Mike McDaniel optimistic quarterback can play vs. Cincinnati Bengals
MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa expressed optimism Tuesday that Tagovailoa will continue healing enough to play in Thursday night’s game at Cincinnati.
Tagovailoa came out of Sunday’s 21-19 victory over Buffalo with back and ankle injuries, with the back being more of a concern. But McDaniel said he’s “very optimistic” and Tagovailoa said he expects to play.
“That’s the plan,” Tagovailoa said. “(I’m) doing everything I can to get back out there.”
More: Hey, why is everybody laughing? Dolphins' special teams coach finds no humor in ‘Butt Punt'
More: Mike McDaniel: If Tua Tagovailoa had head issue, ‘He wouldn't have been back out there'
5 takeaways from the win: Dolphins hold off Bills 21-19 to take control of AFC
Reaction: From the 'Butt Punt' to Ken Dorsey losing it, here's the best reactions from Dolphins vs Bills
Tagovailoa is the second-rated passer in the NFL at 117.8, behind only Lamar Jackson of Baltimore, who has a 119.0 rating.
Tagovailoa temporarily left the Bills game after an illegal hit by linebacker Matt Milano.
“I’ve been up here getting treatment, doing everything I can to get as close to 100 percent as possible,” Tagovailoa said.
McDaniel said he’s “happy with the way he’s so far progressed and feel very optimistic because of how he’s going about it.”
McDaniel said he had a brief scare when Tagovailoa called at 10:50 Monday night.
“Like, ‘Dude, is everything OK?’ ” McDaniel said, to which Tagovailoa replied, “I’m just checking in on you.”
Laughs aside, “I can tell in his voice he’s literally doing everything he can and in his power,” McDaniel said.
Both men agreed they’re more focused on the back injury.
“Have you ever thrown your back out at all?” McDaniel said. “Apparently, you need your back for literally everything.”
Tagovailoa said a sore back can affect “everything” about a quarterback’s job right down to twisting to hand off.
McDaniel said he’d probably know Wednesday whether Tagovailoa can go but he’ll wait as long as Thursday morning if need be.
If Tagovailoa has a setback and is inactive, veteran Teddy Bridgewater would start, backed up by rookie Skylar Thompson.
Hal Habib covers the Dolphins for The Post. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa, Mike McDaniel optimistic QB will play
