Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa comes clean on something we’ve all been wondering, delivering a reality check that will be hard to ignore into the future

"I think as I look back at Alabama and then as I was getting ready to come to the NFL, one of the biggest changes and differences that I've felt would have been some of the surgeries that I've had. I can kind of feel some of the residuals within my ankles. I was running a little different when I was at Alabama. It's just not the same and I think that's normal, given the surgeries and everything that comes with the sport."

— Tua Tagovailoa on how he feels he's different from his time at Alabama

No one should be surprised to hear that a player with the surgical history that Tagovailoa has still feels some of the ill-effects of it on the gridiron. But Tagovailoa, who is 27 years old this season, saying it out loud is indeed still a bit of a sobering reminder of the outlook of the longevity of his playing career and the elevated risk the Dolphins are subjected to as a result — especially just one year removed from agreeing to the biggest contract extension in franchise history. Not only did Tagovailoa spend a four-week stint on injured reserve last season with a concussion, he also missed the final two games of the regular season after suffering a hip injury against the Houston Texans in Week 15. The injury was aggravated in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Tagovailoa is doing his part to make snap decisions in real time and protect himself in 2025 — although it is worth noting he's holding the ball for longer than he ever has under Mike McDaniel as the team attempts to unlock more of the field in the passing game. It's a delicate balance. And it's one that's been a work in progress thus far.

But in order to help prevent his residual aches from growing and further impacting his mobility and twitchiness, Tagovailoa will need to stay vigilant on this front. As he himself points out, it comes with the territory. It inevitably is a part of the game. But it's still a reality check to his (and everyone's) football mortality to hear him acknowledge it just three weeks into his sixth season of play as he compares himself to the player he was just six years ago at the University of Alabama.

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