Tua pops off again

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa kept the party going against Chicago, tossing for 302 yards and 3 TDs. His scores went to Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Jeff Wilson. The 3rd-year QB now ranks 1st league-wide in YPA, QBR and passer rating. He’s top-5 in completion rate and INT rate. We simply can’t say enough about his growth -- and the job done by HC Mike McDaniel. Week 10 brings a home matchup with a Cleveland squad coming off a bye.

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.

Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel conceded Monday that QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is not in the team's Week 18 plans. QB Teddy Bridgewater dislocated his right pinkie in the loss to the Patriots, which seemingly makes QB Skylar Thompson the favorite to start Sunday's must-win game vs. the Jets.

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) didn't practice all week and is out for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. No surprise there considering the multiple concussions Tagovailoa has sustained this year. QB Teddy Bridgewater will make his first start of the season in New England. He's averaged a big 8.7 yards on 60 attempts in spot duty and should at least be able to support WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as fantasy starters.