Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been downgraded to doubtful ahead of their must-win matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
A day before the game, Adam Schefter reported that the Dolphins star is dealing with a hip injury that he is hoping to play through.
Tyler Huntley would likely replace him in the starting lineup if he is unable to be cleared, per Schefter.
Tagovailoa initially suffered the injury during the Dolphins’ loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15. However, he played through the pain and finished the contest.
Miami’s postseason hunt leaves them no margin for errors after a 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers last week, during which Tagovailoa played and recorded 215 yards and a touchdown.
The Dolphins must win their next two games against the Browns and Jets to keep their playoff dreams alive. However, two consecutive victories do not guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.
Tua Tagovailoa has been listed doubtful against the Browns on Sunday with a hip injury
Tagovailoa reportedly suffered the injury in Week 15 against the Texans but continued to play
Mike McDaniels’ men need to win their last two games, and various combinations of losses by the Chargers, Colts, and Broncos to squeeze through and make the field.
The Chargers and Broncos, holding 9-6 records, both play on Saturday. If both sides emerge victorious in their respective games, Miami could be eliminated from contention before getting to Cleveland.
While their chances are not promising, McDaniel is confident that his players are on the same page with a common goal in mind.
‘This team, what they’ve really gone through and fought for, it’s not a difficult task seeing how we have, a one-game season and our chances at the playoffs are at stake,’ McDaniel said.
‘That has been a driving force — really is for our locker room and our coaching staff, really wants to play the type of football that we felt like we fell short of at portions of the season.’
Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, also spoke up about how his teammates should be grateful for what’s ahead of them.
‘It’s an opportunity and I don’t think any of us on our team should take this for granted,’ the quarterback said. ‘This is something that we’ve worked extremely hard for to be in the positions that we’re in now, to be able to play in the NFL.
‘That in itself has been a dream, so for you to short-circuit yourself and be like, ‘Oh, no, we’ll get it next year.’ Well, how do you even know that there is going to be a next year for your career or there’s going to be a next game for you? You just never know when you’re weighing out those options.’
After a 6-2 start this season, the Dolphins managed to climb up to 7-8 as the second-placed team in the AFC East.
So far this season, Tagovailoa completed 291 of 399 passes for 2,867 yards and 19 touchdowns in 11 appearances.
