The Dolphins' head coach, Mike McDaniel, places a greater emphasis on Tua Tagovailoa's personal wellness rather than his football prospects.
Taggart was hurt in the third quarter of last Thursday's 31-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills, following a dive for a first down and a head-on collision with Bills safety Tyrell Carter. The 26-year-old remained down on the field at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens before being tended to by Dolphins medical staff. Taggart eventually left the field under his own steam, being replaced by backup quarterback Taylor Davis.
McDaniel addressed the media on Friday, revealing that Taggart was still asleep when he attempted to contact him earlier that day. McDaniel further stated that Taggart would be holding his initial post-incident meeting with team medical professionals later in the day.
"It's essential that he recovers gradually daily, and the best way I can contribute is by not making any football-related assumptions," McDaniel told reporters during a video conference.
Taggart has reportedly suffered at least three concussions in his NFL career to date. McDaniel was hesitant to discuss the severity of Taggart's latest concussion or to provide any estimate of when he might return to action.
"The seriousness of it isn't relevant," McDaniel explained. "Medical science indicates how fragile the recovery period is immediately following an injury, and it's crucial to avoid adding unnecessary stress."
McDaniel advised against speculating about potential recovery times or the impact on Taggart's ability to play, sending a warning about the impact such discussions could have on Taggart's mental state.
"Setting timelines just leads to anxiety," McDaniel added. "Trying to meet them or gauge the impact on Taggart's participation — this is serious stuff. Taggart deserves a patient and measured approach to his recovery."
Rumors of retirement were swiftly dismissed by McDaniel, who emphasized the importance of respecting Taggart's wishes and the advice of neuroscience experts in guiding his future decisions.
"It would be inappropriate for me to even entertain the notion of retirement," McDaniel replied. "This is Taggart's career we're discussing here."
"Taggart is the most crucial figure in all of this," McDaniel asserted later. "His perspective on his future and his career, alongside the insights of neuroscientists, are the decisive factors."
When asked about the team's plans moving forward with Taggart's absence, McDaniel revealed that preparations would be underway for Thompson to start in Week 3. McDaniel also acknowledged the possibility of bringing in another quarterback to bolster the roster.
"The team and organization are extremely confident in Thompson's abilities," McDaniel said. "He was chosen as our backup quarterback for a reason."
McDaniel, 41, has been in charge of the Dolphins since the start of the 2022 NFL season and has compiled an impressive 21-15 record, having led Miami to the postseason in the previous two campaigns.
McDaniel has faced numerous challenges during his tenure as Dolphins head coach, including the arrest of star wide receiver Tyreek Hill ahead of the team's season opener last week.
The Dolphins will be back in action on September 22, when they travel to Seattle to face the Seahawks.
Taggart's history with concussions in his NFL career raises concerns about his future in the sport. McDaniel emphasized the importance of a gradual recovery and a patient approach, considering the fragility of the recovery period following an injury.
Once Taggart is fully recovered, the focus will shift back to the Dolphins' performance in football, with Thompson potentially starting in his absence.
