Xavien Howard says Colts forced Tagovailoa into 'panic mode' - ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS — Former Miami Dolphins star and current Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavien Howard on Monday offered a stinging assessment of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the wake of Sunday's Colts victory over the Dolphins.

Howard, signed by the Colts last month — 18 months after his release from Miami — said the Colts left Tagovailoa hapless during the 33-8 Indianapolis victory.

«We knew the guy, he gets the ball out pretty quick,» Howard said. «And once we take away his first read, I feel like it's panic mode after that. And it showed yesterday. We took away his first read and he was trying to get rid of the ball real quick.»

Howard might have a point. Tagovailoa seemed rushed at times during the game and did not react well to pressure and the Colts' varied coverages. He had two interceptions, including one thrown to defensive end Laiatu Latu, who fooled Tagovailoa by dropping into zone coverage. Tagovailoa also committed a fumble when he was sacked by nickel cornerback Kenny Moore II on a blitz.

After the game, Latu offered sentiments similar to Howard's.

«You could just tell with the big eyes and him getting flustered,» he said of Tagovailoa.

It was Tagovailoa's seventh game since entering the league in 2020 with at least three turnovers. Only Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence has more over the same span. Tagovailoa posted a career-low 2.7 QBR in the game, the worst by a Dolphins starting quarterback since Josh Rosen's 2.2 against Washington in 2019. Tagovailoa finished 14 of 23 for 114 yards and the Dolphins were scoreless until 6:21 remained in the fourth quarter.

Howard started the game, his first since the final week of the 2023 season. He spent last season out of the NFL after his release by the Dolphins