'Laser focused' Tua Tagovailoa impresses HC Mike McDaniel

MIAMI — Despite not playing football for nearly two weeks, Tua Tagovailoa impressed Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel with his focus when he returned to the practice field last week.

Tagovailoa suffered a concussion on Sept. 29 against the Cincinnati Bengals and missed the Dolphins' next two games. McDaniel said the star quarterback is preparing this week as the starter for Miami's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, adding that Tagovailoa is eager to return.

«He's laser focused. He's in his normal mood, but he doesn't lose attention span at the task at hand,» McDaniel said. «And that's what I've grown to love about the guy. That's why he's been able to have some success in a completely new language and system.»

Tagovailoa cleared concussion protocol this past weekend but returned to the practice field for the first time on Oct. 12. He was inactive for last Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Vikings but was on the sideline and had been present at the Dolphins' team facility since his concussion.

McDaniel said Tagovailoa «fully embraced» his role as a leader over the past two weeks and successfully allowed that role to supersede his desire to play.

«He knows that he has to be in the moment for the players that are playing and contribute the way he can,» McDaniel said. «And so, he has been very positive, but I can also tell that like he thirsts for the brotherhood, for the camaraderie, for the competition.

»It was just blatantly obvious to everyone around him that he was missing out on something that he truly loves. And it's a cool thing to find out in an adverse situation about a player that you coach."

McDaniel noted that in Tagovailoa's three practices last week, he took on a supportive role as Skylar Thompson prepared