Dolphins Q&A: Would Tua play in a wild-card game? How does GM Chris Grier still have his job?

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa walks off field after Green Bay Packers defeated the Dolphins 26-20 at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 25, 2022. (David Santiago/Miami Herald/Davi)

January 3, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

Here’s the latest installment of our Miami Dolphins Q&A, where South Florida Sun Sentinel writers David Furones and Chris Perkins answer questions from readers.

Q: whats ur gut feeling that if the dolphins make the playoffs tua plays in the wild card game? – @skynyrd991 on Twitter

A: I doubt Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who remains in concussion protocol due to the injury he sustained on a tackle against Green Bay, is available to play in the next, say, two weeks. But we’ll see what happens. These things are on a case-by-case basis. Tagovailoa has already missed one game due to the Packers concussion, and earlier this year he missed two and a half games due to the concussion he sustained at Cincinnati. And you’ll recall the previous week, against Buffalo, he stumbled after a late second-half hit and left the game briefly only to return in the third quarter. People suspect he sustained head trauma in that game.

So, Tagovailoa returning is a decision, I’m assuming, that’ll be discussed in-depth among Tagovailoa’s family members/loved ones, doctors and others he trusts. The thing is, you’d rather err on the side of caution when it comes to head injuries.

For whatever reason, Tagovailoa is susceptible to falling in a way that his head whips backward violently against the turf. Until they figure out a solution or better way to handle that this season, either through a different helmet or whatever, he’ll probably be sidelined.

Q: Any chance Tua is cleared and plays this week? – @Fan960Wills on Twitter

A: Probably not. I’d plan on either Teddy Bridgewater or Skylar Thompson starting this week’s finale against the New York Jets. Bridgewater is dealing with a dislocated pinky finger on his right (throwing) hand. Coach Mike McDaniel said they won’t know more about his status until the swelling goes down.

To me, the starting quarterback is relatively unimportant. You just need Bridgewater or Thompson to keep the game close in the fourth quarter so the high-profile/highly paid guys can deliver the victory. Bridgewater and Thompson did that last week against New England, even though neither played especially well.

This game isn’t about the starting quarterback. This game is about the Dolphins, as coaches and as players, can fight, scrap and claw to find a way to outscore the Jets by one point.

Q: @chrisperk do you think we bring back Boyer? What’s the biggest issue with this team going into next year? —@seanwhite85 on Twitter

A: Good questions. I’ll answer the second question first. Quarterback is now the biggest issue facing the Dolphins for next season. If and when Tagovailoa is cleared to continue playing, do you put the franchise’s immediate future in his hands, knowing a simple tackle could sideline him for weeks?

After we see what happens in the Jets game we can talk about general manager Chris Grier returning. I think at this point he’s definitely back. But let’s see what happens with the Jets game and a couple of other key situations. It’s too early to say anything definitive about the front office.

We’ll see about defensive coordinator Josh Boyer. I think he deserves to return. This defense has been OK considering the injury losses and lack of top-notch talent. The defense has kept the Dolphins competitive, for the most part. But Boyer’s return will mostly depend on whether McDaniel has someone in mind to bring aboard, someone who would be “his guy,” so to speak. For that, I’d initially look to McDaniel’s past (defensive coaches on the same coaching staff) and to guys likely to get a recommendation from someone McDaniel trusts (he trusts San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan, Green Bay coach Matt LeFleur, etc…).

Q: Do you think this season has to be taken with a grain of salt? We had high expectations but we are dealing with a rookie hc, a qb that is finally being trusted and all the injuries. We of course want more as fans, but we need to be realistic — @Carmigross on Twitter

A: Great points. And I agree to a certain degree. In general, the NFL doesn’t like “grains of salt.” It prefers to stick to the black and white. But, yes, you’re correct. McDaniel is a rookie coach, Tagovailoa is still learning, and the injuries to the secondary (cornerbacks Byron Jones and Nik Needham, and safety Brandon Jones) have been crippling. Still, generally speaking, when you’re 8-3 you should make the playoffs. There are few legitimate excuses for missing the playoffs from that point.

Of course, there’s a chance the Dolphins have always been an eight- or nine-win team, regardless of how they arrive at that win total, and perhaps that’s where everyone lost their grip on reality. Perhaps the 8-3 record was a bit of a mirage and the result of fortuitous scheduling.

To me, the crushing loss was Green Bay. You had a sub-.500 team coming to your house in a game you needed to win, and you lost.

Q: Why is Chris Grier not fired yet? — @tony_di41 on Twitter

A: That’s a common question right now. Grier, the general manager, has owner Steve Ross’ trust. That’s why he’s not fired yet. Beyond that, let’s see how this season plays out before making any decisions. When you know whether the Dolphins made the playoffs or missed the playoffs, and you knew the reasons either happened, then you can begin making personnel decisions. At this point things are still incomplete, just as they were when the Dolphins were 8-3. Hey, there’s still a chance the Dolphins win a playoff game, which would likely change people’s views on the season.

As for Ross, I like him as an owner because he does what you want — allows the football people to make football decisions, and Ross just writes checks. Ross isn’t a perfect owner, but for the most part, he’s what you’d want as a fan. Yeah, the pursuit of quarterback Tom Brady cost the franchise a draft pick, and the alleged plan to tank was ill-conceived and clumsily executed. But the actions of players and coaches have held this franchise back much more than Ross’ actions. I’m not a Ross apologist in any way, shape or form. I know everyone wants a fall guy right now. But let’s be real: Ross isn’t the reason the team is on a five-game losing streak, and he’s not the reason the Dolphins haven’t made the playoffs since 2016. That’s on players and coaches.

Have a question?

Email David Furones, or tag @ChrisPerk or @DavidFurones_ on Twitter.