Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa decided against wearing a Guardian Cap after returning from his latest concussion, instead hoping to play more carefully than he’s accustomed to. Since getting back onto the field, he’s done a fine job of avoiding reckless plays — with one exception.
Tagovailoa has been able to prevent his often reckless instincts from kicking in when he has the ball, but those instincts won on Monday when the ball was in the opponent’s hands. Tagovailoa made a diving tackle attempt after throwing an interception, raising serious concern about another head injury.
Fortunately, the 26-year-old avoided the brunt of the collision and didn’t show any signs of injury. He finished the game and led the Dolphins to their third win of the season, which marked his first victory since Week 1.
Here’s a look at Tagovailoa’s scary tackle attempt and how fans reacted to the decision.
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Tua Tagovailoa tackle vs. Rams
Tagovailoa lowered his head in an attempt to tackle Christian Rozeboom, who was returning an interception.
TUA. WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO TACKLE HIM WITH YOUR HEAD
pic.twitter.com/FNZunYglD6— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) November 12, 2024
The Dolphins star took a knee to the head, instantly sparking fears that he might have suffered another head injury. Tagovailoa has a lengthy concussion history, and the concussion he suffered against the Bills in September created conversations about his NFL future.
MORE: Dolphins back in AFC playoff pictures thanks to favorable upcoming schedule
Tagovailoa stayed defiant that he would get back on the field, and he returned after missing the minimum four games on IR. He has pledged to reduce some of the recklessness in his game, particularly after September’s concussion appeared to be avoidable, but Monday night’s diving tackle attempt is a play that can be classified as reckless considering the ramifications that would come with another concussion.
After the win, Tagovailoa was able to laugh off the moment. “I wasn’t planning on using my head to go hit him,” he said, calling it “pretty poor tackle form.”
🎥 Tua Tagovailoa on his tackle following his interception: “I feel good, everything is good… I wasn’t planning on using my head to go hit him… Pretty bad tackling form, pretty terrible.” (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/EHJBDcUIg5
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) November 12, 2024
Tagovailoa confirmed he felt fine and said he joked about it with Rozeboom after the game.
When asked about the tackle, coach Mike McDaniel instead challenged Tagovailoa not to put himself in that position to begin with. “I think the best way to do that is to not throw it to the opponent,” McDaniel told reporters.
Fans and pundits all had the same reaction to Tagovailoa’s tackle attempt:
Everyone watching Tua Tagoaviloa lowering his head on that tackle attempt pic.twitter.com/dzb44dfAWo
— Kyle Yates (@KyleYNFL) November 12, 2024
Tua attempting to tackle with his head is certainly a choice.
— Trevor Knapp (@KnappBets) November 12, 2024
Tua can not attempt to make a tackle. Just not smart.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) November 12, 2024
Tua Tagovailoa should not be making tackles
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) November 12, 2024
My whole body froze when I saw Tua lead with his head to tackle the defender
— Ben Houselog (@benlikessport) November 12, 2024
In Tagovailoa’s defense, he does appear to try to tuck his head out of the way and stop Rozeboom’s momentum with his back. That prevented a head-on collision between the two players, but Rozeboom’s knee still collided with Tagovailoa’s head.
As much as the Dolphins might want to prevent Rozeboom from picking up some additional yards on the interception return, a healthy Tagovailoa is more pivotal to Miami’s chances of climbing back into the playoff picture than any other result that play could have produced.
Tagovailoa had a weekly press conference on Wednesday and was asked about the tackle. He gave an interesting response saying that he was just playing football. Tagovailoa said that he wasn’t going to let the guy score, and when asked what he would do differently if the situation arose again, he responded with, “I wouldn’t do anything differently.”
#Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa said he would do it again when asked about his head-first tackle attempt following an interception on Monday night.
“I shoulda never threw the pick in the first place. … I wouldn’t do anything different.”pic.twitter.com/fxIQcyQFdf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 14, 2024
