Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa '100% ready' to play vs. Jaguars in London

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores suggested earlier in the week that starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa still wasn't fully healed from the fractured ribs that sidelined him during the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, he said earlier on Friday that Tagovailoa is on track to return to the lineup for the first time since that setback for Sunday's clash with the winless Jacksonville Jaguars in London.

As Myles Simmons noted for Pro Football Talk, Tagovailoa told reporters Friday he's wearing a protector for his ribs and also suggested he's still sore. The 23-year-old left no doubt, however, that he's good to play. 

"I don’t think it’s 100% pretty, but I’m 100% ready to get back on the field," Tagovailoa explained during his press obligation. 

One can understand why Tagovailoa is so eager to show what he can do for the first time since he guided the Dolphins to a season-opening win against the New England Patriots. Miami lost four straight following Week 1 and continues to be linked with Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is being kept an unused paid talent as he faces 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints that seem unlikely to be settled before the Nov. 2 trade deadline. 

If it becomes clear Watson won't be suspended or made ineligible to play via the commissioner's exempt list and Tagovailoa struggles, the Dolphins may take a chance on such a transaction either before or shortly after Halloween.