Report: Tua Tagovailoa 'fully healthy' at Miami Dolphins practice

Tua Tagovailoa stepped up his playing ability last year but now it may all come together for the fully healthy Miami Dolphins quarterback in 2023.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tagovailoa is fully healthy amid his concussion issues and even stepped up his leadership in the organization. The quarterback took up jiu jitsu to aid his ability to fall forward and backwards to protect his head.

That was added in for everyone in the quarterback room and it certainly seems Tagovailoa led by example.

“And then you have Tua in Miami, so I’ve checked on his health,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “I was told he’s completely healthy. Now not only that, but he’s been working on that jiu jitsu that you’ve heard about, how to fall forward, how to protect his head and in the pocket. Well, I was told the Dolphins actually implemented some of those jiu jitsu workouts with their quarterbacks before practices. So trying to get everybody used to you know, the sort of falling down and being able to protect yourselves. 

“I was told Tua has also taken some leadership steps. Recently, there was a practice where it was a little bit sloppy. He stopped the whole thing and sort of talked to the offense, maybe even laid into him a little bit. I was told that something Tua would not have done a couple years ago, but now he is a major voice in Miami.”

Tua Tagovailoa ready to go for Miami Dolphins

Back in April, Tagovailoa was definitely in a different place. He admitted he thought about walking away from the game of football.

“I considered it for a time,” Tagovailoa said. “Having sat down with my family, having sat down with my wife, and having those kinds of conversations. But really, it would be hard for me to walk away from this game. With how old I am, with my son.

“I always dreamed of playing as long as I could to where my son knew he was watching his Dad. It’s my health, it’s my body. I feel like it’s what’s best for me and my family. I love the game of football. If I didn’t, then I would’ve quit a long time ago.”

The former Alabama star quarterback and Heisman contender had the best season of his NFL career in 2022, despite the concussions.

In 13 games, he finished with 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 64.8% completion percentage.