DAVIE, Fla. ā Miami Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa is hoping to get back under center this weekend after missing his first game since being named the teamās starting quarterback.
Tua missed last Sundayās win over the New York Jets due to an injury to the thumb on his throwing hand.
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He was on the practice field Wednesday, officially listed as a limited participant according to the teamās injury report.
Speaking to the media after practice, Tagovailoa expressed his desire to play while understanding that its ultimately out of his control.
āIām feeling good,ā he said. āAs a competitor, you always want to go out there and you want to be able to play. But (Coach Flores) and our medical staff, I would say they have the best interests for us. I would say they wouldnāt put me out there if they felt like it would be harmful for myself. Iām just taking it one day at a time and trusting those guys.ā
Pressed about how the injury happened, Tagovailoa wouldnāt say whether or not he hit his thumb on the helmet of a teammate, only that it happened while making a throw.
āI got my hand dinged up when I tried to make a pass,ā he said.
Tagovailoa was working Wednesday with his left hand and thumb wrapped, but he was still able to throw the ball.
Itās obviously an adjustment, but perhaps not one that would keep him from playing this week.
āI had to wrap my hand and just get used to the wrap and whatnot,ā Tua said. āOther than that, Iām just trying to get into the rhythm again with some of the guys and continue to learn from (Ryan Fitzpatrick), continue to learn from coaches.ā
Tua is hopeful heāll be back on the field Sunday when Miami hosts the Cincinnati Bengals.
Head Coach Brian Flores was also asked about Tagovailoaās recovery and of course, whether heād be able to play this week.
āTuaās been rehabbing, heās been getting treatment,ā Flores said. āHeās working hard to get back in there. Again, I wish I had a crystal ball to tell you heās going to practice fully; but weāve got to get out there and do that before we can say that. Heās doing everything he can, and weāll evaluate it as we go.ā
If Tua canāt go on Sunday, itāll be veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick back in the driverās seat for Miami.
Against the Jets last weekend, Fitzpatrick completed 24-of-39 passes for 257 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Heās won each of his last three starts for the Dolphins, combining to throw for 798 yards and eight touchdowns during the 3-game stretch.