Welcome to the NFL, Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins rookie quarterback made his pro debut in the final minutes of Sunday's 24-0 win over the Jets.
The No. 5 overall pick of the 2020 draft handed the ball off on his initial snap in relief of Ryan Fitzpatrick. One play later, Tagovailoa rolled out to his left and hit Patrick Laird for a short gain. He then connected with Jakeem Grant for 7 yards, ironically giving Miami its first third-down conversion of the game. Tagovailoa would hand off two more times as time expired, finishing 2 of 2 for 9 yards.
"It was just excitement to get out there and see what plays [offensive coordinator] Chan [Gailey] would give me," the young QB said of his cameo.
Tagovailoa celebrated the moment by returning to the field in full uniform and sitting on the 15-yard-line to call his parents since they couldn't be at Hard Rock Stadium. It was his first game action since last November, when he suffered a posterior hip wall fracture and dislocation while playing for Alabama.
Tabbed as Miami's QB1 of the future, Tagovailoa's been the object of the fans' affection since a rough outing from Fitzpatrick in the season opener. The 22-year-old finally taking the field on a day in which his veteran superior tossed three touchdowns and two interceptions in a lopsided win isn't likely to change that for the 3-3 Dolphins.
