Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa returned Sunday night for his 1st game action since the scary concussion at Cincinnati in Week 4. He completed 21 of 35 passes in the win over the Steelers for 261 yards and 1 TD. Tagovailoa took nary a sack, avoided turnovers and even ran for 15 yards on 4 rushes. WR Tyreek Hill led the offense with 13 targets and 7 catches (for 72 yards), while WR Jaylen Waddle paced the group with 88 yards (on 5 targets, 4 receptions). TE Mike Gesicki drew 7 targets for the 2nd straight game but managed just 3 catches for 27 yards. The whole group gets a high-ceiling matchup at Detroit in Week 8, with solid-to-good spots the next 2 weeks as well vs. Chicago and Cleveland.

The Dolphins have picked up QB Tua Tagovailoa’s 5th-year option. In doing so, Miami guarantees his $23.4 million salary for 2024. Essentially, he’s locked in as their short-term starter. Consider Tua-Tyreek Hill and Tua-Jaylen Waddle fine best ball stacks at cost.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has cleared the concussion protocol after meeting with "several medical professionals," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "They are confident he’ll be 100% when the time comes for football," Rapoport adds. Tagovailoa sustained 2 concussions -- and appeared to sustain a 3rd -- during the 2022 season, ultimately missing 4 games and most of another. When he was on the field, he scored as a top 10 fantasy QB. It sets him up as 1 of the bigger risk/reward picks at QB in 2023 fantasy drafts.

QB Tua Tagovailoa is expected to return as the Dolphins' starter next season, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Tagovailoa suffered 3 -- ahem, 2 -- concussions this season, ultimately missing 4 games and most of another. His play tailed off late in the season, but he finished with a 65% completion rate and big 8.9 yards per attempt. "The Dolphins have been pleased with Tagovailoa's development this season under first-year coach Mike McDaniel," per Schefter, and "medical professionals also are confident that Tagovailoa should be able to resume his NFL career next season, if not sooner."

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel told reporters Wednesday that QB Tua Tagovailoa is out for Sunday's playoff opener against the Bills. Doctors have yet to clear the QB for football activity coming off his latest concussion. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Miami is preparing as though Skylar Thompson will start. That doesn't rule out the possibility of Teddy Bridgewater returning from the finger injury on his throwing hand, but you should prepare as though the rookie will line up behind center. This obviously downgrades Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle for all fantasy football formats.

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel wouldn't say Monday where QB Tua Tagovailoa is in the concussion protocol but did say that he's seen Tagovailoa "sweating" in workouts. That suggests that Tua is at least in Stage 2 of the 5-stage protocol, giving him a chance to be cleared for Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Bills. McDaniel said Monday that he'll have game plans for all 3 potential starting QBs, with both Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater (finger) iffy. We'll get Miami's first practice report of the week on Wednesday.