Tua Tagovailoa's practice return welcome sight for Dolphins - ESPN

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Miami Dolphins players were ecstatic to see quarterback Tua Tagovailoa return to the practice field Wednesday, perhaps no one more than wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

Tagovailoa practiced for the first time since sustaining a concussion Sept. 12. He was placed on injured reserve the following week and missed the Dolphins' next four games.

The NFL's leading passer last season is eligible to come off IR this week, and Hill said Tagovailoa's return brought a familiar feeling back to the practice field.

«He looked great. Felt like old times,» Hill said. «Me and him connected on a few deep shots today, and that kind of got me feeling good today. I missed that and I missed him. I told him I've got to take him and his wife to dinner because I missed him so much. S--- was so beautiful, that s--- almost made me cry today like just having him in the lineup, having him call the plays, having him direct the offense, like just hearing his voice.

»I know that sounds crazy, but he's a big part of this team."

Miami is 1-3 in the four games Tagovailoa has missed. During that stretch, the Dolphins offense ranks last in scoring, 31st in offensive expected points added and 29th in yards per game.

Hill's production has tapered without Tagovailoa. He's on pace for 833 receiving yards, which would be his lowest total since his rookie season.

After connecting with his quarterback on multiple deep passes during Wednesday's practice, Hill's excitement carried into the locker room. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said Tagovailoa completed almost every pass he threw to Hill, and that when they're on the same page, «it normally leads to big plays.»

«It was beautiful. It was so beautiful,» Hill said. «I bet if you go ask every guy in