Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been downgraded to questionable ahead of their game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
A day before the game, Adam Schefter reported that the Dolphins star is dealing with a hip injury that he hopes to play through.
Tyler Huntley would likely replace him in the starting lineup if he can’t be cleared, Schefter said.
Tagovailoa initially suffered the injury during the Dolphins’ loss to the Houston Texans in Week 15. However, he played through the pain and finished the game.
Miami’s postseason hunt leaves them no room for error after a 29-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers last week, in which Tagovailoa played and recorded 215 yards and a touchdown.
The Dolphins need to win their next two games against the Browns and Jets to keep their playoff dreams alive. However, two consecutive wins do not guarantee them a spot in the play-offs.
Tua Tagovailoa was questionable against the Browns on Sunday due to a hip injury
Tagovailoa reportedly suffered the injury in Week 15 against the Texans but continued to play
Mike McDaniels’ men need to win their last two games, and various combinations of losses to the Chargers, Colts and Broncos to pull through and make the field.
The Chargers and Broncos, with 9-6 records, both play on Saturday. If both sides emerge victorious in their respective games, Miami could be eliminated from contention before they reach Cleveland.
While their chances aren’t promising, McDaniel is confident his players are aligned with a common goal in mind.
“This team, what they really went through and fought for, it’s not a difficult task to see how we did, a one-game season and our chances of making the playoffs are on the line.” , McDaniel said.
“That has been a driving force, it really is for our locker room and our coaching staff. They really want to play the type of football that we felt like we weren’t able to do for part of the season.”
Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion earlier this season, also spoke about how his teammates should be grateful for what lies ahead.
“It’s an opportunity and I don’t think anyone on our team should take it for granted,” the quarterback said. “This is something we’ve worked extremely hard to get to the positions we’re in now, to be able to play in the NFL.
“That in itself was a dream, so to short-circuit yourself and say, ‘Oh no, we’ll get it next year.’ How do you even know that there will be a next year for your career, or that there will be a next competition for you? You never know when you’re weighing those options.”
After a 6-2 start this season, the Dolphins moved to 7-8 as the second-seeded team in the AFC East.
So far this season, Tagovailoa has completed 291 of 399 passes for 2,867 yards and 19 touchdowns in 11 appearances.