From The Tribune staff reports
MIAMI, Fla. — It’s Tua’s turn in Miami.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Tuesday the Miami Dolphins have named former Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa their starter heading into an open date. The left-handed rookie made his NFL debut on Sunday in mop-up duty against the Jets, and is expected to earn his first start in Week 8 against the Rams.
Tagovailoa will takeover for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has Miami off to a 3-3 start. Fitzpatrick will now step into a backup role for the Dolphins.
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network explained the move on Tuesday.
“They felt as if now, with Tua Tagovailoa being that much further removed from that devastating hip injury that he suffered last year at Alabama, having shown what he can do in practice, having gotten the reps made up for what he lost when he did not have an offseason, did not have a preseason to get ready,” Pelissero explained on NFL Network. “Then seeing his first game action, even on a limited basis this past weekend, they believe now is the right time for Tua time. They’re also heading into a bye here, which gives them a little bit more time for Tua to get ready, mentally even more so than physically.”
Tagovailoa was selected fifth-overall in April’s NFL Draft, despite suffering a devastating hip injury as Alabama’s quarterback last November. In his time with the Crimson Tide, Tagovailoa threw for 7,442 yards and 87 touchdowns.
Fish fans hope for similar production in coming years. The (Tua) time is now in South Beach.