Analysis

Tagovailoa took three sacks and fumbled on one of them midway through the second quarter, with Jared Verse scooping up the ball for the Rams at the Dolphins' 36-yard line. While that turnover did lead to a field goal, Tagovailoa played a relatively smooth game otherwise and connected with eight different targets overall. The 2020 first-round pick's one touchdown toss went to Tyreek Hill with 5:32 remaining in the third quarter, and he now draws another favorable matchup when the Raiders visit South Florida for a Week 11 matchup.

Analysis

Tagovailoa rarely pushed the ball downfield, instead keeping the offense on schedule by accurately dinking and dunking. He threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to De'Von Achane in the second quarter and a game-tying seven-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle with 1:38 left in the fourth, but Buffalo answered with a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. Tua's return from concussion protocol hasn't helped Miami get back in the win column, as the Dolphins are 2-7 overall and 1-3 in games started by Tagovailoa heading into a Week 10 MNF road game against the Rams.

Analysis

Tagovailoa showed no signs of early rust in his first action since Week 2, as he completed 11 of his first 12 passes to help the Dolphins take a 10-0 lead. He cooled off for the rest of the first half before throwing a 12-yard touchdown pass to De'Von Achane in the third quarter, but Tagovailoa fumbled a snap out of the back of the end zone for a safety on the next possession to ignite an 18-7 Cardinals run to close out the game. Most importantly, Tagovailoa made it through unscathed after having been on IR since Week 2 against the Bills due to his latest concussion. Up next for Tagovailoa and the Dolphins is a Week 9 rematch in Buffalo.

Analysis

Though Tagovailoa was listed as questionable following Friday's practice, head coach Mike McDaniel had effectively confirmed that the star quarterback would start in his return from a four-game absence, per Louis-Jacques. The return of Tagovailoa should help reignite an offense that has the potential to be one of the most explosive and potent in the league but currently ranks last in the NFL with an average of 11.7 points per game.

Analysis

The Dolphins didn't remove Tagovailoa's injury designation, but head coach Mike McDaniel already suggested Friday the Pro Bowl quarterback would play. The 26-year-old said he's been symptom-free since Sept. 13, so it's fair to assume the Dolphins offense will effectively return to one of most formidable in the league with Tagovailoa now back.

Analysis

Tagovailoa -- who has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol -- remains on injured reserve for the time being, but once he's officially activated by the Dolphins on Saturday, it's possible that his current questionable designation will be lifted. In any case, Tagovailoa is poised to return to action Sunday after a four-game absence, and at this stage, there's more uncertainty surrounding who is slated to back him up Sunday.

Analysis

Tagovailoa suffered his fourth concussion in the last five years back on Thursday, Sept. 12, which forced some tough questions about his future in football. He eventually spent time on injured reserve, and while he reportedly was free of concussion symptoms as of Oct. 3, the Dolphins didn't designate him for return from IR until this Wednesday, and he officially didn't clear the protocol for head injuries until Friday, per Louis-Jacques. Tagovailoa ended the week with back-to-back full practices, but in order to have a chance to play Sunday, the team will need to activate him before Saturday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline. With Tyler Huntley's (shoulder) placement on IR on Friday, the options to be Miami's backup QB this weekend are Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle or practice-squad member C.J. Beathard, assuming Tagovailoa starts, as expected.

Analysis

Tagovailoa, who hasn't played since suffering his most recent concussion Sept. 12, thus is slated to be activated off IR ahead of Sunday's contest, which positions him to get back into the starting lineup. His looming return should provide a major lift to the Dolphins offense and boosts the fantasy prospects of the team's pass catchers. Meanwhile, with Tyler Huntley (shoulder) likely unavailable, it looks like either Skylar Thompson, Tim Boyle or C.J. Beathard will be in line to back up Tagovailoa on Sunday.

Analysis

Tagovailoa, who remains on IR for the time being, turned in a full practice session Thursday, indicating that he's progressed to the fifth and final stage of the concussion protocol. The Dolphins now expect Tagovailoa to gain clearance from an independent neurological consultant Friday, which will make the franchise quarterback eligible to be activated from IR and start Sunday's home matchup against the Cardinals. Top wideouts Tyreek Hill (foot) and Jaylen Waddle (quadriceps) were both limited in Thursday's practice, but if both they and Tagovailoa are able to suit up versus Arizona, it will represent a tremendous boost for Miami's offense.