Tua Tagovailoa still doesn’t know what it was.
Other than alarming, that is.
“Probably one of the worst experiences I’ve had in terms of waking up and that happens on a game day,” he said.
By “that,” Tagovailoa meant eye problems that required the Miami Dolphins to make him a late addition to their injury report, even though they made it clear they still expected him to start against the Atlanta Falcons.
But how effective would he be?
Very, it turned out.
Despite coming off two consecutive three-interception performances, Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes to lead the Dolphins to a 34-10 victory over the Falcons to end Miami’s three-game losing streak.
Although he addressed reporters postgame wearing sunglasses, Tagovailoa ended the day pretty much opposite of how he started it.
“My eye was swollen shut and then, thanks to the medical staff, they ended up helping with antibiotics and whatnot,” he said.
Playing with a visor to protect the eye, Tagovailoa completed 20 of 26 passes for 205 yards, the four TDs and no interceptions for a 138.6 passer rating that ranks fourth in his career. This despite coming off possibly the worst game of his career, a dismal day in Cleveland that also included three fumbles.
“I’m just glad I was able to go out there and play,” Tagovailoa said. “Woke up that way, kind of had some thoughts of what it could be, what it might be, but none of those seemed to be what it was, whether it was a stye or whether it was maybe allergic to something, an allergic reaction.”
Tagovailoa said it was the first time since high school that he played wearing a visor.
“I thought it was kind of swaggy,” said Jaylen Waddle, who caught five passes for 99 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown.
Coach Mike McDaniel thought his quarterback was helped by allergy medication.
“Once I could hear in his voice that he was focused, I knew it was going to be just another thing,” McDaniel said. “I knew he was focused on executing the game plan.”
Tagovailoa did that with another new wrinkle. Offensive coordinator Frank Smith was on the sidelines rather than upstairs in the booth.
“I think you need someone like that on the sidelines,” Tagovailoa said.
The Dolphins were called for only four penalties. Tagovailoa thought having Smith nearby aided the team in a crisp operation, devoid of pre-snap penalties.
“I don’t get to talk to Frank when Frank’s in the box,” he said.
Having Smith nearby helped. Having the medical staff nearby also helped.
The biggest help of all?
“Quarterback was out there playing out of his mind,” Waddle said.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa, visor and all, played ‘out of his mind’
Reporting by Hal Habib, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
