Mike McDaniel addresses potential of placing Tua Tagovailoa on IR after concussion

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel fielded a question Friday on the possibility of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being placed on injured reserve after he suffered a concussion in Thursday’s 31-10 Week 2 home defeat to the Buffalo Bills.

McDaniel didn’t want to discuss timelines, believing it “gives forth anxiety” for Tagovalioa to meet them. He added they will continue to rely on the experts in developing a plan for Tagovailoa going forward.

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“I literally will not know any sort of anything either way because… we are operating as if we know nothing because we don’t,” McDaniel said. “The driving force behind any sort of move, let’s say IR or whatever those things are, the absolute most important person in the whole equation is Tua. His opinion and what he wants to do with his life and his career coupled with the experts in neuroscience, those are the driving forces behind those actions.

“I’m not hiding anything. I’m being as transparent as I absolutely can. I have zero idea what any sort of timeline is. … We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation.”

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Mike McDaniel has confidence in Skylar Thompson stepping in for Tua Tagovailoa

Tagovailoa, 26, left the game late in the third quarter after scrambling for a first down and lowering his head to initiate contact with Bills safety Damar Hamlin. Immediately after the impact, Tagovailoa’s body showed the fencing posture. Tagovailoa was able to walk off the field and head to the locker room under his own power. Miami diagnosed him with the third known concussion of his NFL career.

McDaniel said the team is moving forward with Skylar Thompson as starting quarterback. He added they will sign another quarterback for depth purposes.

“There was a reason he was our backup quarterback,” McDaniel said. “That being said, we will bring in someone. We’re just evaluating the pros and cons of the different situations. And getting through all those possibilities to do the best thing for the team. But as it stands today. I’m expecting that Skylar is the next man up.”

Tagovailoa said he considered retirement after the 2022 campaign, in which he suffered multiple concussions. Many former players have suggested that Tagovailoa strongly think about retiring after his latest concussion. McDaniel, however, isn’t ready to have those conversations.

“I totally get that’s where people want to go,” McDaniel said. “I just wish, for a second, people would hear what I’m saying. Bringing up his future is not in the best interest of him.”