Tua Tagovailoa’s return ‘almost made me cry’

On By Yukito

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to practice Wednesday as he prepares to take the field this weekend for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Bills, and Tyreek Hill was thrilled to have him back.

Without Tagovailoa, Maimi’s offense was averaging a dismal 10 points per game. None of Skylar Thompson, Tyler Huntley or Tim Boyle were able to master the timing of the offense and the passing attack suffered greatly as a result.

Tagovailoa’s absence has particularly hurt Hill’s numbers, as the five-time All-Pro hasn’t scored a touchdown since Week 1.

“I missed him so much,” Hill said after Tagovailoa’s first practice back. “(Expletive) was so beautiful, (expletive) almost made me cry today, like I had him in the lineup, had him calling plays, directed the offense, like I just heard his voice. I know it sounds crazy, but he’s an important part of this team.” Hole

Hill recorded just 140 receiving yards in four games while Tagovailoa played on injured reserve. In last weekend’s loss to Indianapolis, Hill caught just one pass for eight yards.

“It makes a big difference (having him back),” Hill said. “Tua – he and Mike (McDaniel) have a really special bond. Lets Tua be Tua. Tua has contact with all the guys, we all spend a lot of time with him, so the connection is there.

“Then when we bring it all on the field, it strengthens everything we do – the throws are on time, the game is calling, the operation is faster. He just does a great job leading this offense.

Hill has always had high praise for Tagovailoa since joining the Dolphins in 2022. Shortly after joining the Dolphins, he called Tagovailoa the “most accurate” quarterback in the NFL. Hill’s best statistical seasons actually came when Tagovailoa played quarterback.

Hill rushed for over 1,700 yards in each of the first two years of his Dolphins career and was just shy of competing for league MVP a year ago. Tagovailoa led the league in passing yards in 2023 and also generated MVP chatter. If this dynamic duo can get back to where they were, it will be very difficult for the Dolphins to stop.

Miami needs wins quickly if it wants to save its season. It all starts next Sunday with a game against the Arizona Cardinals.