USA TODAY
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws the football during a joint practice with the Atlanta Falcons on August 6.
Two things stood out at Tua Tagovailoa’s press conference today: his availability for Saturday’s preseason game against the Washington Commanders and Odell Beckham Jr.
In recent years, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has always let Tagovailoa play in the second week of the preseason. But due to injuries on the offensive line, it is unclear whether the franchise quarterback will play. Tagovailoa, to his credit, wants to play.
“I hope so,” Tagovailoa said when asked if he would start Saturday. “It’s always good for any of us – whether we’re experienced players or new players – to get some reps and get back into the routine before the game.”
The decision ultimately rests with McDaniel and, according to Tagovailoa, with the “executives.”
“I think it’s mutual,” Tagovailoa said of the decision to play. “He meets with leaders, with guys who have established themselves and earned the respect of the locker room. He meets with those guys and talks with them, and we come to the conclusion, ‘Yes, we’re all playing,’ or ‘No, this one isn’t.'”
As for Beckham, who has not yet participated in training camp, Tagovailoa seemed unwilling to evaluate the receiver’s suitability for the team until he gets there.
“I have to see how O catches and runs routes with our guys before I can say anything,” Tagovailoa said.
Tagovailoa mentioned that he threw a few to Beckham, albeit a static version. That doesn’t exactly help build chemistry between the two, though.
“For me as a quarterback to build chemistry with someone, I have to see how those guys run their routes and how they are on their breaks,” Tagovailoa said.
Beckham has been working with trainers since late July, when the Dolphins placed him on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. At the time, the 31-year-old was “working on minor things” that were “part of the plan to slowly ease him back into football,” according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Beckham, who signed a one-year contract in May that can pay him up to $8.25 million with bonuses, has made it clear he wants to play.
“I’m always here to prove something. I want to end my career on my terms,” he said in his introductory press conference. “I don’t know when that will be, in a year, in two years, in three years – but I want to finish with a strong result. I definitely want to finish with a good result. It’s about resilience. The way things have been going in the last few years, I can’t stop like this.”
Although McDaniel did not expect to see Beckham “this week,” he said Monday that the three-time Pro Bowler should be used “week to week” going forward.
Beckham Jr. has caught 566 passes for 7,932 yards and 59 touchdowns throughout his career. During his 2023 season with the Baltimore Ravens, he caught 35 passes for 565 yards and three touchdowns.
