MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Dolphins Tua Tagovailoa returned to practice on Wednesday, more than a month after suffering his third reported concussion in two years.
Despite declining to wear the NFL’s soft-shell Guardian Cap, a report from ESPN stated Tagovailoa’s VICIS helmet is considered the “safest” standard option for quarterbacks.
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Local 10′s Clay Ferraro was at the Dolphins practice facility in Miami Gardens, where Tagovailoa was seen throwing passes to players while not in uniform.
QB1 😀 pic.twitter.com/maG9glAIgw
— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) October 23, 2024
According to ESPN, Tagovailoa uses the VICIS ZERO2 MATRIX ID helmet, designed specifically for quarterbacks. This model is rated higher in protection compared to other helmets, even when considering the Guardian Cap’s added soft-shell protection, the report stated.
Guardian caps, which were introduced as an in-season safety measure this year, are believed to reduce concussions by 46%, the report stated.
Tagovailoa firmly declined to wear the cap during his recovery, calling it a “personal choice.”
Despite medical experts suggesting that his history of head injuries might warrant considering retirement, Tagovailoa told reporters on Tuesday that he has no plans to walk away from the game he loves.
“I appreciate your concern,” he said, adding, “I love this game, and I love it to the death of me.”
Tagovailoa is expected to start for the Dolphins in Sunday’s Week 8 game against the Arizona Cardinals after missing four games. He also missed four games due to concussions during the 2022 season.
His return could jumpstart a Dolphins’ offense that currently ranks 21st in yards and last in points per game at 11.1.
