The Miami Dolphins own the least productive offense in the NFL, but they believe one player could make a big difference.
The Dolphins are expecting a sudden increase in points as they count on standout quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to pick up their pace on Sunday when they battle the Arizona Cardinals at Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami (2-4) ranks last in the NFL at 11.7 points per game. The freefall began when Tagovailoa sustained a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills.
Tagovailoa returned to practice on Wednesday and officially cleared concussion protocol on Friday and is listed as questionable. Tagovailoa’s last snap came in the third quarter of a 31-10 loss to the Bills on Sept. 12.
It was the fourth documented concussion in Tagovailoa’s football career, including two in 2022. After the latest one, he spent a lot of time talking to doctors, neurologists and other health experts, a decision and discussion head coach Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins left to the experts.
Tagovailoa concluded moving forward with his career was the right call.
“Just got to be smart,” Tagovailoa said. “My entire time playing football, I’ve been a competitor and that is or was sort of my edge when I would run from high school, even in college I would do the same thing. This is the professional level, the best of the best, you just can’t be doing that.
“So definitely got to stay more available for the team, for the organization, for our guys.”
And right now, Miami’s results show the team needs an immediate jolt from the quarterback position.
“I don’t think for myself I put any pressure on myself coming back and having to save the team,” Tagovailoa said.
An explosive attack that was one of the best in the league has struggled to find the end zone without him. Miami scored 40 total points in the four games Tagovailoa missed.
Standout Miami receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for 191 receptions, 2,813 yards and 17 scoring receptions last season. They have 46 catches, 563 yards and one score through six games this season.
Hill has 24 catches for 294 yards and one touchdown. He caught one pass for 8 yards last week in the Dolphins’ 16-10 road loss against the Indianapolis Colts.
Waddle (22-269-0) had one catch for 11 yards against the Colts.
Hill, though, was highly optimistic Wednesday.
“We’re back, baby,” Hill told reporters. “Strike up the (expletive) band. We’re back.”
Hill (foot) missed practice Friday and is listed as questionable. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler (eye) and cornerback Kader Kohou (neck) are out, while cornerback Storm Duck (ankle) is questionable.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley (right shoulder) was placed on injured reserve on Friday. He started the past three games.
Arizona (3-4) is coming off a 17-15 home win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night.
Running back James Conner led the way with a season-high 152 yards from scrimmage (101 rushing, 51 receiving). He set up Chad Ryland’s decisive 32-yard field goal by catching a short pass in the final minute, breaking a tackle and racing 33 yards to the Los Angeles 22-yard line.
Conner has rushed for 504 yards and three touchdowns this season.
“He energizes the offense, the sideline, the defense and the whole team,” Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said of Conner. “The stadium feels that. That’s what he is for us. Not only a playmaker but a guy that guys can lean on. He gets people going for sure.”
Murray scrambled for a 44-yard touchdown in the contest. He has 325 yards and two scores on the ground while passing for 1,331 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.
Murray said the offense was sloppy against the Chargers.
“We ended up winning that game, which is great,” Murray said, “but the expectations are higher for me offensively.”
The Cardinals sustained a big blow against the Chargers when outside linebacker Dennis Gardeck suffered a torn ACL in his right knee and was subsequently placed on IR. Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) and defensive linemen Roy Lopez (ankle) and Darius Robinson (calf) will all sit out.
The Dolphins have won 10 of the teams’ 13 all-time matchups.
–Field Level Media
