Tagovailoa gets OK to practice without restrictions
MIAMI (AP) — Rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa passed his physical when he reported to Miami Dolphins training camp and will practice without restrictions as he begins his bid to overtake veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting job.
The all-clear will allow Tagovailoa to practice for the first time since a career-threatening hip injury ended his Alabama career in mid-November.
"He’s through the physical, and when we do get to practice, you’ll see him out there,” coach Brian Flores said Wednesday.
That will be in mid-August, after a couple of weeks of strength and conditioning workouts and walkthroughs. The , because of the coronavirus pandemic, which also forced the cancellation of offseason drills throughout the NFL.
As a result, the Dolphins have had little chance to groom Tagovailoa. The No. 5 pick in the April draft is hailed as a potential franchise quarterback, but Flores stressed the need for patience.
“I know there are a lot of people that want to talk about Tua, and I understand it,” Flores said. “But at the same time, he’s a young player and this is his first NFL training camp. I think he’s got to take it one day at a time and not think about what’s realistic for the season.”
Tagovailoa spent the offseason in Alabama rehabbing and participating in the Dolphins’ virtual meetings. He's the centerpiece in a rebuilding project under second-year coach Flores that becomes even more challenging as the Dolphins, 5-11 last year, try to navigate the pandemic.
No players or coaches , for 2020, Flores said. But he's well aware the virus could quickly sink the season, and the dangers were underscored by the recent outbreak that forced the Miami Marlins to call off at least a week of games.
“One person can bring in the virus, and it can spread like wildfire,” Flores said. "So each one of us has a responsibility. If you enter the facility, you have a responsibility to the 150, 180 or 200 other people in the facility. We need to be smart and make good decisions. I think our guys understand that.
“Look, you can be smart and make all good decisions and it still might not work out, because that’s just kind of how this is. But I think we’d all have peace of mind knowing that we’ve done everything possible that we can do individually.”
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
___
Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve_Wine
-
2024-25 NFL MVP odds: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen early favorites
Broncos' Bo Nix wows Sean Payton with array of impressive passes at minicamp
Chargers rookie Brenden Rice, Jerry Rice's son, feels he has plenty to prove
-
Austin Rivers calls out James Jones for career critique; Jones responds
NFL's 5 most improved teams of the offseason
NFL's 5 least improved teams of the offseason: Cowboys or Bills more disappointing?
-
Julian Edelman reveals backstage tension between Kraft, Belichick at Brady roast
Pats' No. 3 pick Drake Maye wraps up first taste of NFL at rookie minicamp
Tom Brady admits his departure from Patriots was due to Bill Belichick
-
2024-25 NFL MVP odds: Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen early favorites
Broncos' Bo Nix wows Sean Payton with array of impressive passes at minicamp
Chargers rookie Brenden Rice, Jerry Rice's son, feels he has plenty to prove
-
Austin Rivers calls out James Jones for career critique; Jones responds
NFL's 5 most improved teams of the offseason
NFL's 5 least improved teams of the offseason: Cowboys or Bills more disappointing?
-
Julian Edelman reveals backstage tension between Kraft, Belichick at Brady roast
Pats' No. 3 pick Drake Maye wraps up first taste of NFL at rookie minicamp
Tom Brady admits his departure from Patriots was due to Bill Belichick