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NFL insider sheds additional light on the nature of Tua Tagovailoa's hip injury

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Craig Smith | Last updated Jan 5, 2025 5:19 PM ET

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel shed a little bit of light this week on the nature of the hip injury that QB Tua Tagovailoa has been dealing with the past few weeks.

McDaniel confirmed that the injury is not related to a bone fracture or a deep bruise to the hip muscle.

"It’s not a case of – a bruise would be like pain tolerance, and that’s something that I think Tua wishes it was just a pain issue. It’s quite literally being able to have the strength to do what we ask him to do as well as protecting himself from very serious injury if we don’t treat it appropriately. So I wouldn’t say it’s a bruise, but it’s a unique muscle issue that is a result of the hip.”

NFL Network reporter and insider Ian Rapoport shed a brighter light on the more specific nature of the injury on Sunday. Rapoport indicated the issue is a muscle tear, and that Tua is in position to potentially tear it further.

From @NFLGameDay: #Jets QB Aaron Rodgers sounded like a player who may be playing his last game; Plus, #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (hip) is up in the air for next week (if they advance). pic.twitter.com/WkuxndSHfX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 5, 2025

"It is affecting the muscle in the hip. It has limited significantly his strength and mobility. He is, I'm told, at risk of further injury if he plays, which is why he has not been cleared. If he plays before the swelling goes down, that muscle could tear further. And from what I'm told, he is very much up in the air for next week if the Dolphins advance."

The highlighted portion is telling. Based on the word "further", Tua has a muscle that's currently torn, which is a significant injury that indeed appears to be capable of resulting in a more severe situation if he rushes back too soon and aggravates it.

Tua announced just two days ago that there would be "no ifs, ands, or buts" about whether or not he would be available if the Dolphins qualify for the postseason, which would require a win on Sunday over the New York Jets and a loss by the Denver Broncos to the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, this report really illustrates why the Dolphins' medical staff have given the red light to his availability. If a risk of a tear continues next week, the circumstances of the game seem unlikely to change that to green.

But of course, we'll find out if that's even a possibility based on how things play out in the late game window, where the Dolphins and Broncos play their respective finales on Sunday.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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