Tua Tagovailoa's parents confirm he will play in 2023

After entering concussion protocol multiple times this year — and leaving the game on a stretcher once — questions have risen about Tua Tagovailoa’s future not only with the Miami Dolphins, but in the NFL. His parents put those to bed this week.

Diane and Galu Tagovailoa spoke with KHON-TV in their native Hawaii and confirmed Tua will be back with the Dolphins next year. They also said the organization has worked hard to ensure he’ll be back on the field one year after suffering a couple scary head injuries.

“Oh, he comes back,” Galu said. “That’s their guy. They love him. We love him and what they’re doing, helping him with his recovery and everything else, trying to get him back. He’s still going through his protocol. We’re grateful for them, too. Very grateful for Miami, the organization, the owner.”

Tua played in 13 games this season, throwing for 3,548 yards and 25 touchdowns — both career-highs. He missed the Dolphins’ playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, but the team has said the plan is for him to be the starter in 2023.

Dolphins GM confirms Tua Tagovailoa as team’s starting QB for 2023

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier confirmed Tua Tagovailoa would return as the team’s starting quarterback in 2023 following an early playoff exit.

Tagovailoa dealt with numerous concussions this season, causing questions about his football future. He was also out for Sunday’s AFC Wild Card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, where Miami used third string quarterback Skylar Thompson after Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater were ruled out.

But Grier was adamant about Tagovailoa coming back for his fourth season with the Dolphins and was the team’s No. 1 man under center, confirming earlier reports.

“I would say with Tua he is our starting quarterback,” Grier said Monday. “I mean, I don’t know how we can say it anymore clearly. We’ve been that way through this season and what he’s done. What Mike and Tua, (Darrell) Bevell, Chandler (Henley), the coaching staff have all done. They’ve all worked tremendously hard all of them together.”