Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will sit to start the season. Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Tua Tagovailoa appears to have acquitted himself well in camp, even though he didn’t win the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback job.

Coach Brian Flores announced Monday that Ryan Fitzpatrick would be the team’s Week 1 starter, as expected. However, he also had praise for Tagovailoa and said it would be OK if the rookie had to play at some point.

“He’s had a good camp. He’s been competitive. He’s shown a lot of improvement,” Flores said, via Cameron Wolfe of ESPN. “If he had to go in and play, that’s how it’d be. Now a rookie playing early on, we may have that at some other positions and if that were the case, then that’s what it would be.”

While there was chatter that Tagovailoa could end up being third string for Miami, that hasn’t happened. He has been healthy and received positive reviews for his efforts. He may not be the starter now, but he’s still on the right track for long-term success with the Dolphins.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Nuggets melt down under Timberwolves' pressure to go down 0-2
Watch: Knicks' Donte DiVincenzo makes, absorbs big shot to win Game 1
Bruins take series opener over Panthers in 5-1 rout
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama unanimously wins NBA Rookie of the Year award
Phillies remain MLB's hottest team with dominant Zack Wheeler performance
Heat president Pat Riley calls out Jimmy Butler twice following playoff exit
Brooks Koepka sets up epic clash with Scottie Scheffler at PGA Championship
How Tom Brady's investment in English soccer team cratered
Week 12 NASCAR power rankings: Kyle Larson distances himself with historic win
Ex-GM confident 49ers can avoid breaking the bank on Brock Purdy extension
Five most surprising breakout players in this MLB season
The most exciting offseason addition for every NFL team
Bengals exec declines Patriots interview for de facto GM job
Snoop Dogg to be title sponsor of college football bowl game
A's place struggling starter on injured list
Longtime Saints OL, three-time Pro Bowler agrees to deal with AFC West team
Report: 10-time All-Star 'wants to re-sign' with Clippers
Kendrick Perkins 'wishes' LeBron James would make drastic career decision
Snoop Dogg makes big college football announcement
Pat Riley calls out Jimmy Butler over recent comments

Want more Dolphins news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.