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Tag: Mike McDaniel

  • Filling Out The 2026 Coaching Staff – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    We’re a few days from finding out the winner of Super Bowl LX and the Eagles have already begun preparations to fill out position coaches while simultaneously opening up more availabilities. Making the offseason checklist a little bit longer. 

    The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

    Kevin Patullo 

    It didn’t take very long after the wildcard round for Howie Roseman to confirm the Eagles would be looking for their 5th Offensive Coordinator during the 6-year Nick Sirianni tenure. Moving on from Patullo was the right decision, as the Eagles struggled 18+ weeks and seemingly burned some extra bridges as things went on. With an Eagles offense that had 10/11 returning offensive starters, (Mekhi Becton – Tyler Steen) the Eagles went from a powerhouse ranking 5th in PPG (29.0) during the 2024 campaign into 19th with only 22.1 PPG. 

    Chopping off an entire touchdown from the Eagles scoring would’ve been enough points for them to finish the year 14-3. Alas, safe & turnover free football ended their season over a month ago.

    Sean Mannion 

    Since retiring in 2023 Mannion has been involved with the Green Bay Packers as both Offensive Assitant and Quarterbacks Coach. Getting to work alongside Matt LaFleur, viewed as an elite coach around the league. And working with the development of Jordan Love the past few seasons has primed Mannion for a promotion heading into the 2026 season. 

    Was he the Eagles first option? Probably not. But as Mike McDaniel, Brian Daboll and other top OC/HC options came off the board the Eagles had to strike for their guy. Giving Mannion autonomy with the offense opened the door for creativity and the ability to bring in guys he wanted. 

    Yesterday, the Eagles hired Ryan Mahaffey as the Run Game Coordinator and Tight Ends Coach. Filling out roles previously filled by Jeff Stoutland and Jason Michael. 

    Mahaffey was previously in Green Bay with Mannion as the wide receivers coach and Assistant offensive line coach. 

    So far the Eagles new hires are proving that Mannion will get to bring in his own staff. But pushing out tenured coaches like Jeff Stoutland who helped develop elite players from Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, to turning a rugby player into an All-Pro in Jordan Mailata. 

    There’s also no current answer whether the team will retain Scot Loeffler who might have been the mastermind behind getting Dallas Goedert 11 touchdowns in 2025. While it seems coaches like Aaron Moorehead who has hung onto his job as wide receiver coach for the last 6 years as the Eagles have struggled to develop a single receiver outside of DeVonta Smith. Who, let’s be real. Wasn’t turned into the player he is today from the help of Moorehead.  

    There’s still a long offseason to go with plenty of roster and coaching changes along the way. Who’s on your list for the Eagles next move?

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • Mike McDaniel Is Closing in on a Major Offensive Role

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    The NFL coaching carousel might not be done spinning just yet, but one of the league’s most creative offensive minds appears to be zeroing in on his preferred destination.

    According to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero, no deal has officially been signed, and a head-coaching opportunity could still emerge. However, if Mike McDaniel ends up taking an offensive coordinator job for the 2026 season, the expectation around the league is that it will be with the Los Angeles Chargers.

    Pelissero added that McDaniel is still being considered for head coaching vacancies with both the Las Vegas Raiders and Baltimore Ravens. But should those opportunities not materialize, the Chargers are believed to be the spot he wants most, largely because of the chance to work with quarterback Justin Herbert.

    The fit makes plenty of sense. Herbert is one of the most physically gifted passers in football, and McDaniel’s track record of designing quarterback-friendly systems has made him one of the most sought-after offensive architects in the league.

    For now, everything remains fluid. No paperwork is complete, no final announcement has been made, and the door to a head-coaching role isn’t closed. Still, the league buzz is growing louder: if McDaniel is calling plays next season, all signs point toward Los Angeles.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Report: Dan Campbell Liked Mike McDaniel A Lot, But…

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    The Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator search took plenty of twists this offseason, and one intriguing name that surfaced along the way was Mike McDaniel.

    According to a report from Jeff Darlington, Campbell had strong interest in McDaniel and came away impressed during the interview process. However, while Campbell liked McDaniel “a lot,” the Lions ultimately decided he was not the right fit for what they were trying to build on offense.

    Instead, Detroit pivoted in a different direction and ultimately hired Drew Petzing as their new offensive coordinator.

    Petzing, who most recently served as the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator, brings a background in quarterback development and a balanced offensive approach, something that aligns with Campbell’s vision for keeping the Lions physical, versatile, and adaptable around Jared Goff and the rest of the offense.

    The move underscores how quietly and deliberately Campbell and the Lions operate during coaching searches. Even with high-profile names like McDaniel in the mix, Detroit stayed true to its internal evaluations and landed on the candidate they believed best fit their long-term plan.

    In the end, while McDaniel impressed, the Lions’ future on offense now officially belongs to Drew Petzing.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • NFL Insider Reveals How Mike McDaniel Feels About Detroit Lions OC Position

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    As the Detroit Lions continue their search for a new offensive coordinator, one of the most intriguing names connected to the job is Mike McDaniel. According to NFL insider Jeff Darlington, McDaniel is still exploring his options, including a few remaining head coach interviews, but he “very much likes the OC jobs on the table,” which would include Detroit’s opening.

    Darlington added that this year’s hiring cycle has been unusually drawn out for both teams and candidates, but that clarity should come soon, with “a lot of closure across the board by the end of this week.” For the Lions, that suggests a decision on their next offensive leader could be right around the corner.

    McDaniel’s interest in offensive coordinator opportunities is notable, especially given Detroit’s loaded roster and Super Bowl window. With a strong offensive line, elite playmakers, and a creative coaching staff led by Dan Campbell, the Lions present an attractive situation for any play-caller looking to maximize talent and compete immediately. If McDaniel truly views the OC market favorably, Detroit’s opening may be one of the most appealing spots on the board.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • The best, most logical replacements for Eagles offensive coordinator

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    Looking at the best offensive coordinator fits for the Eagles after they’ve predictably moved on from Kevin Patullo.

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    Geoff Mosher

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  • Vegas Odds for First NFL Head Coach Fired — Four Best Bets

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    If you readers know anything about me, you know that I love a nice wager. Also, if you know anything about me, you know that I’m willing to wager on almost anything. For every conventional wager on a college football or NFL game, I’ve placed a sizable wager on the Nathan’s hot dog eating contest. For every MLB game on which I dip my toe, I’ll cobble together a parlay for predicted Oscar winners.

    Perhaps no “unconventional” wager piques my interest, though, quite like wagering on people’s employment, or perhaps more appropriately, their potential UNEMPLOYMENT. This brings me to one of my favorite wagers of the NFL season — who will be the first NFL head coach fired?

    The crazy thing about this wager is that the favorite rarely hits. In the last five seasons, these have been the winning ticket cashers:

    2020: BILL O’BRIEN, Texans
    2021: URBAN MEYER, Jaguars
    2022: MATT RHULE, Panthers
    2023: FRANK REICH, Panthers
    2024: ROBERT SALEH, Jets

    Of those five, the only favorite (or near favorite) that hit was Rhule in 2022. The other four were all fairly long shots. The one thing they all had in common was some level of internal franchise dysfunction (O’Brien, Saleh), a train wreck owner (Rhule, Reich), or massive personal, self destructive issues (Meyer).

    So, if we are picking a winner, it’s less about schedule and matchups, and more about finding (a) a potentially bad team with (b) a rotting culture and rotten ownership. Before I lay out my four best bets, here are the full odds:

    Mike McDaniel (MIA) 2/1
    Brian Daboll (NYG) 4/1
    Shane Steichen (IND) 7/1
    Dave Canales (CAR) 15/2
    Kevin Stefanski (CLE) 15/2
    Jonathan Gannon (ARI) 8/1
    Zac Taylor (CIN) 9/1
    Brian Callahan (TEN) 18/1
    Raheem Morris (ATL) 18/1
    Todd Bowles (TB) 20/1
    Mike Tomlin (PIT) 28/1
    Kyle Shanahan (SF) 33/1
    Kevin O’Connell (MIN) 40/1
    Matt LaFleur (GB) 40/1
    Sean McVay (LA) 40/1
    DeMeco Ryans (HOU) 50/1
    Sean McDermott (BUF) 60/1
    Mike Macdonald (SEA) 66/1
    Sean Payton (DEN) 66/1
    John Harbaugh (BAL) 75/1
    Ben Johnson (CHI) 100/1
    Brian Schottenheimer (DAL) 100/1
    Dan Campbell (DET) 100/1
    Dan Quinn (WAS) 100/1
    Jim Harbaugh (LAC) 100/1
    Aaron Glenn (NYJ) 150/1
    Kellen Moore (NO) 150/1
    Liam Coen (JAX) 150/1
    Pete Carroll (LV) 200/1
    Mike Vrabel (NE) 250/1
    Andy Reid (KC) 500/1
    Nick Sirianni (PHI) 500/1

    Okay, so let’s lay out four decent selections:

    MIKE McDANIEL, Dolphins, 2/1
    The favorite deserves to be the favorite. Listen to McDaniel speak, and you’d think that Stephen Ross has been letting a stoned teenager run the team for their last three years. Over the course of the offseason, McDaniel has had Three Hill agitate for a trade and Jalen Ramsey successfully lobby to get traded. The team is widely viewed as a punchline around the league for being soft. McDaniel’s time has run out in South Beach.

    DAVE CANALES, Panthers, 15/2
    Credit to Canales, as he got a nice stretch of football out of QB Bryce Young down the stretch last season, easily the best Young has played during his two seasons in the NFL. However, if I’m putting together an article touting multiple best bets, how can I not include the head coach on the team who’s owner has given us the winner in two out of the last three seasons?

    KEVIN STEFANSKI, Browns, 15/2
    This whole situation is ripe for people to lose their jobs. After the whole Deshaun Watson experience ended in catastrophe, the Browns have now created a second QB controversy by drafting two rookie quarterbacks in the same draft class, with one of them being Shedeur Sanders. Oh, and neither of the rookies will start, because the Browns signed 40-year-old Joe Flacco, who stinks. This feels like a “let’s just blow the whole thing up and start over” situation, potentially, and Kevin Stefanski would for sure get smoked under this scenario.

    BRIAN CALLAHAN, Titans, 18/1
    I can’t just cherry pick off the top of these odds, so I’ll dip slightly lower in the 18/1 range on this one. The rumor mill in the offseason was saying that the Titans almost moved on from Callahan after one season. As the former OC with the Bengals, the hope was that Callahan would fix second year QB Will Levis. That didn’t come close to happening, so if rookie Cam Ward gets off to a slow start, perhaps Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk decides to head off any long term damage to the rookie by moving on from Callahan.

    Listen to Sean Pendergast on SportsRadio 610 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays. Also, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/SeanTPendergast, on Instagram at instagram.com/sean.pendergast, and like him on Facebook at facebook.com/SeanTPendergast.

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    Sean Pendergast

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  • Dolphins turn focus to Skylar Thompson at QB with Tua out, heading West to face the 2-0 Seahawks

    Dolphins turn focus to Skylar Thompson at QB with Tua out, heading West to face the 2-0 Seahawks

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    SEATTLE (AP) — Having spent the past two seasons as his teammate, Seattle center Connor Williams struggled to watch what happened to Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa.

    He’d much rather see Tagovailoa on the field Sunday when the Seahawks host the Dolphins than watch his former teammate deal with yet another concussion.

    “It was awful. I mean, you never wish for something like that, and definitely with his history,” Williams said. “Just prayers out to him and his family.”

    The latest concussion suffered by the Miami quarterback and his uncertain future has centered the storylines around the Week 3 matchup.

    Tagovailoa was injured last Thursday night in a loss to Buffalo, his third diagnosed concussion in the past two years. The Dolphins have spent the week trying to get Skylar Thompson ready to make his first start since the 2022 season while also answering unknowns about when Tagovailoa — who has been placed on injured reserve — will return.

    For now, Miami is placing its faith in Thompson.

    “When I tell you that the confidence that the team has for Skylar is real and it’s earned, and it’s based upon thousands of hours that as a backup quarterback most people don’t see,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said.

    The last time Thompson started was the 2022 playoffs against Buffalo. He never saw the field last season and his limited career opportunities thus far make it difficult to get a read on what exactly may be different with Thompson under center.

    “It’s tough because it’s not a huge sample size to see, and it’s been a long time, and you’re talking about a couple of years of growth from when he started last in a playoff game, being in the system,” Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said. “So that’s where we’re at right now.”

    While it’s a bit of an unknown how Thompson will step in, the Dolphins still have a dangerous set of skill talent like Tyreek Hill and De’Von Achane.

    “One of my favorite parts about this game is going to play with the guys next to me. It’s been that way since I was a little kid, and I just find joy in going to battle with guys that I know have put so much into it to do their job,” Thompson said.

    In the backfield

    Seattle played last week without top running back Kenneth Walker III and his status against the Dolphins is uncertain due to an oblique injury. Whether it’s Walker or backup Zach Charbonnet carrying the load, Seattle’s offensive line must do better blocking up front.

    “We’ve got to move people. Right now we’re not moving them,” Macdonald said.

    The Seahawks had only 46 yards rushing and averaged 2.4 yards per rush against New England, which made the 103 yards Walker had in Week 1 against Denver that much more impressive.

    The guard spot has been the problem thus far and Seattle could continue to rotate at right guard where Anthony Bradford and Christian Haynes split time against the Patriots.

    Bring the noise

    Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks knows how loud it can get inside Seattle’s home stadium after spending the first four years of his career as a Seahawk.

    Brooks said the best way for the Dolphins to quiet the noise from Seattle’s passionate fans is to stymie the Seahawks’ offense and for Thompson and the Dolphins’ offense to make big plays of their own.

    “It gets as loud as the team can make it,” Brooks said. “So if we’re stopping them, it won’t be that loud. If we don’t, it will be pretty loud.”

    Thompson also has experience playing in hostile environments. He started a road playoff game against the Buffalo Bills during the 2022 season.

    “For me, that’s what you want,” Thompson said. “That’s why football is such a great game, and being able to go on the road, having a road opportunity with the guys and get to go in there and go to battle with them in that environment is fun. We’re really excited for that opportunity.”

    The other QB

    Geno Smith is coming off one of the best games of his career, completing 75% of his passes and throwing for 327 yards in the win over the Patriots. Smith was 17 of 25 passing in the second half and overtime, and carried Seattle’s offense on a day there was no run game.

    “Y’all been calling this man underrated for three years, and when is it going to stop?” Seattle wide receiver DK Metcalf questioned. “But he’s not underrated by any means.”

    Homecoming

    There was a huge smile on Tyler Huntley’s face Wednesday when he described the feeling of playing football in Miami.

    Huntley, signed this week by Miami off the Ravens’ practice squad, was born in Dania Beach, Florida, about 20 miles north of Miami and attended high school in South Florida. He went to college in Utah before signing with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in 2020.

    “Man, it’s just like a dream come true,” Huntley said. “As a little kid, you’re looking up seeing the NFL and your home team being right there, you just want to be a part of it. I get the chance to be a part of it.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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  • Tua Tagovailoa officially out with concussion at New England

    Tua Tagovailoa officially out with concussion at New England

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    Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s game at New England after suffering a concussion in Miami’s Christmas Day loss to Green Bay.

    Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Friday that Tagovailoa is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol and is day to day as he focuses on his health.

    “He’s better than the day before,” McDaniel said. “But I’m also trying to get a team ready to play this game, and it really doesn’t do anybody any service to over talk the scenario where he’s got to be focused on his health and nothing else.”

    Teddy Bridgewater will lead Miami in Sunday’s critical division matchup, which will be a factor in whether the Dolphins clinch their first postseason berth since 2016. The Dolphins can clinch the playoffs with a win and a New York Jets loss to Seattle, or a tie combined with a Jets loss and Pittsburgh Steelers loss or tie.

    For Tagovailoa, it’s not clear when, or if, he’ll return to the field, but many current and former players have expressed concern for his long-term health after his second confirmed concussion of the season.

    McDaniel has appeared equally concerned for his 24-year-old starting quarterback, but has chosen his words carefully, offering few details on Tagovailoa’s future. He said Friday that he has blocked out outside opinions “diligently” regarding Tagovailoa’s health.

    “I haven’t read or talked or heard anything outside of doing my job with the people that I work with,” McDaniel said. “I think from an integrity standpoint, it’s important for me to do everything for the right reasons and not have influences either way with whatever the situation is.”

    Tagovailoa was previously concussed in a Week 4 loss to Cincinnati on a play that knocked him unconscious and caused him to be stretchered off the field.

    That was four days after he was allowed to return to a game against Buffalo after he appeared disoriented following a hit. It was an unsettling scene as Tagovailoa wobbled when he tried to get back on his feet, and the NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that any player who shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — sit out the remainder of a game.

    When he returned for Miami’s Week 7 matchup against Pittsburgh, Tagovailoa spoke about how stressful the whole process had been.

    “It’s been a process, that’s for sure,” Tagovailoa said in October. “Having to deal with the interviews with the NFL and the NFLPA and then having to go and see doctors outside with second opinions … but all of it is done for player safety. I’m glad that I got to go through those things to kind of understand more of the deals of concussions and the effects.”

    Tagovailoa’s brother, Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, told the Associated Press on Thursday that he does worry about his brother’s long term health, given how much information is available on Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, the progressive brain condition caused by repeated blows to the head.

    “That’s my brother,” he said. “I want him to always be safe, but at the same time play the game that he loves and do what he loves to do and see him happy. In life I feel like we all have to make those tough decisions, regardless of what he feels like doing at the moment. There are lot more years and a lot of more time too, because he’s still young.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol again

    Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa in concussion protocol again

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    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has returned to the NFL’s concussion protocol, Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

    Tagovailoa was experiencing symptoms when he met with team doctors Monday, though McDaniel said it is unclear if Tagovailoa was concussed in Sunday’s 26-20 loss to Green Bay.

    Tagovailoa appeared to bang his head on the ground when he was tackled in the second quarter against the Packers, but he never left the game and was not evaluated for a concussion.

    “As far as the game was concerned, no one recognized anything with regard to any sort of hit. I can’t really tell you exactly what it was,” McDaniel said, adding that he got the news Monday afternoon.

    The concussion protocol is enacted whenever a player reports concussion-related symptoms, even if he isn’t certain to have a concussion.

    There is no set timetable for exiting the protocol, so Tagovailoa could potentially play in Sunday’s pivotal game at New England if he advances through the NFL’s five-step process and is cleared.

    Teddy Bridgewater will practice this week with the first team, but McDaniel said it is too early to name a starter for Week 17.

    “That’s one of the reasons you go and aggressively pursue a player like Teddy Bridgewater,” McDaniel said.

    If Tagovailoa did suffer a concussion, it would be his second this season.

    He entered the concussion protocol after taking a scary hit that knocked him unconscious during Miami’s Sept. 29 game at Cincinnati. He was stretchered off the field and returned in Week 7.

    Tagovailoa took another hard hit four days before the Cincinnati game during a win over Buffalo. He appeared to show concussion symptoms but was evaluated and stayed in the game. The NFL later changed its concussion protocol to mandate that any player who shows possible concussion symptoms — including a lack of balance or stability — sit out the remainder of a game.

    The injury comes at a challenging time for Miami (8-7), which has lost four straight to fall to the bottom of the AFC playoff field.

    “This is something that we have all of our fortunes ahead of us,” McDaniel said, “so it’s up to us to choose what we do with all the past experiences, move on to the next game.”

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    AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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  • Dolphins’ Tagovailoa has concussion, no timetable for return

    Dolphins’ Tagovailoa has concussion, no timetable for return

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    MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Friday there is no timetable for the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered a concussion when he hit his head against the turf a day earlier against the Cincinnati Bengals.

    McDaniel also defended the team’s handling of Tagovailoa’s injury last Sunday in a win over the Buffalo Bills, when the QB took a hit from linebacker Matt Milano late in the first half and appeared to hit his head on the turf. Tagovailoa stumbled when he got up and was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion, then returned to the game at the start of the third quarter.

    McDaniel reiterated Friday that Tagovailoa was cleared by several layers of medical professionals during last Sunday’s game and said the QB did not have a head injury.

    “My job as a coach is here for the players. I take that very serious,” the first-year coach said. “And no one else in the building strays from that.”

    Many observers questioned why Tagovailoa was allowed to return to the field against the Bills. He was not in the concussion protocol leading up to Thursday’s game.

    “There was no medical indication from all resources that there was anything regarding the head,” McDaniel said Friday. “If there would have been, of course, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I prematurely put someone out there.”

    Tagovailoa had an MRI on Friday in addition to the X-rays and CT scans that were taken the night before at a hospital in Cincinnati. He had a headache Thursday night and Friday morning, McDaniel said.

    “I’m not even really thinking about timetables or anything regarding him as a player right now,” McDaniel said. “It’s all about Tua the person.”

    Tagovailoa was sacked by Bengals defensive tackle Josh Topou late in the first half of Thursday night’s loss to the Bengals. On the play, he spun awkwardly and was thrown to the turf. While on the ground, Tagovailoa appeared to display the fencing response, with his fingers frozen in front of his face.

    He remained down for more than seven minutes before being loaded onto a backboard and stretchered off the field.

    The Dolphins later said he was conscious and had movement in all of his extremities. He was discharged from the hospital Thursday night and flew back to Miami with the team.

    McDaniel said Tagovailoa was interacting with teammates on the flight home. He sat next to McDaniel and talked to him about the game.

    “His personality was normal Tua,” McDaniel said.

    Before the injury, Tagovailoa was having a breakout season, highlighted by throwing a career-high six touchdown passes in a Week 2 win over Baltimore.

    Now the former Alabama star faces another obstacle in what has been an up-and-down career.

    The Dolphins, amid a rebuild in 2020, drafted Tagovailoa No. 1 overall to be a franchise-altering player following a college career that included a 2018 national championship.

    But when that didn’t happen as quickly as Miami anticipated, questions arose about whether to stick with the young quarterback or go in another direction.

    Tagovailoa seemed to be answering those questions through the first three weeks of the season, efficiently utilizing the weapons that Miami surrounded him with during the offseason, including star receiver Tyreek Hill, to lead the Dolphins to a 3-0 record heading into Thursday’s game.

    Including his 110 passing yards before leaving Thursday’s game, Tagovailoa is second in the league in passing yards (1,035) and he has thrown 10 touchdowns with three interceptions.

    Tagovailoa has dealt with several injuries, including a dislocated right hip in 2019 at Alabama.

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    More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP—NFL

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