Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa finds himself on a list that he hopes to never be on again

This is what PFF had to say about Tua: 

The Dolphins appeared to be a team on the rise after securing their first 11-win season since 2008, but momentum was quickly halted in Week 2 when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was diagnosed with his third concussion in two years. Later in the season, a hip injury sidelined him for the final two games, bringing his total games missed to six — another frustrating chapter in what has been an injury-marred career in Miami.

Tagovailoa’s best and only fully healthy season came in 2023, when he started all 18 games, including the playoffs. He led all quarterbacks that year with an 88.6 PFF passing grade and logged 36 big-time throws on 600 attempts, doubling his previous career high from 2022.

With a roster already facing depth concerns, the Dolphins can't afford another season derailed by quarterback injuries. Tagovailoa’s health will be one of the defining factors in Miami’s 2025 campaign, and another extended absence would raise serious questions about his long-term viability as the franchise’s $212.4 million investment. - Ryan Smith, Pro Football Focus

The good news is that Tua knows what it's like to bounce back from an injury-filled season in a big way.  That's what both he and the team did in 2023.  The Dolphins improved from 9-8 to 11-6 and came one win away from winning their first division title since 2008. It was their most wins in a season since 2008 as well (also 11 wins). 

Of course, that 2023 team had fewer obvious roster holes than this team seems to have, but at least general manager Chris Grier took significant steps to address both sides of the line of scrimmage this offseason in free agency (with the signing of OL James Daniels) and in the draft (adding DL Kenneth Grant, OL Jonah Savaiinaea, DL Jordan Phillips, and DL Zeek Biggers). 

If the Dolphins can keep Tua protected and healthy, then they have a chance to have a significant improvement and return to the playoffs for the third time in Mike McDaniel's fourth season in South Florida.