Dolphins head coach Brian Flores publicly backs Tua Tagovailoa as 'our' quarterback

Amid rumors that some within the Miami Dolphins, including team owner Stephen Ross, "really want" to trade for embattled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, ESPN's Jeff Darlington reported Tuesday that Miami head coach Brian Flores emphatically told his players that second-year pro Tua Tagovailoa is "our quarterback" heading into September. 

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Flores declined to discuss Darlington’s story when speaking with reporters Wednesday but left little doubt about who is QB1 in his mind as he prepares for the regular-season opener at the New England Patriots on Sept. 12.

"Tua is our quarterback," Flores explained. "He’s had a good training camp, made a lot of progress, made a lot of improvement. We’re pleased with where he is." 

Flores continued about the position: "I don’t know how many times I have to say it."

Darlington refuted an earlier report that Ross covets Watson, who continues to face 22 lawsuits alleging acts of sexual assault and misconduct and 10 criminal complaints, and instead said the owner is letting Flores and general manager Chris Grier make such important roster decisions. 

Watson remains with the Texans but wants to be traded and is expected to be a healthy scratch each week of the season he's on Houston's roster. He hasn't yet been made ineligible to play via a suspension or the commissioner's exempt list. 

Veteran Tyrod Taylor is currently Houston's starting quarterback.