Dolphins @ Bills - Wildcard Round (01/15/‘23)

Dolphins 23 to 21. Sanders hits 3 FG's

With Tua and Armstead? An interesting game, where Miami has an outside chance of pulling the upset. Without both of them, it's an ugly loss in the 35-13 range.

Tua/Armstead- Buf 31 Mia 20
No Tua- Buf 34 Mia 10

Dolphins are undefeated when Skylar starts and finishes the game!!

Sounds like Tua could possibly be in Phase III of the protocol.

Tua absolutely needs to start this game. If he's not available when it matters most, especially 3 weeks after a concussion, then it really strengthens the argument he's too unreliable due to fragility.

Buffalo 35-7 (irrespective of who plays QB)

"Alan in England wrote:

Buffalo 35-7 (irrespective of who plays QB)

If I start, it might only be 35-3 and that's if Sanders is having a good day. Just saying....

"cbrad wrote:

Tua absolutely needs to start this game. If he's not available when it matters most, especially 3 weeks after a concussion, then it really strengthens the argument he's too unreliable due to fragility.

It's a HUGE concern going into next season, and if he does play in the Buffalo playoff game and gets another concussion? Oh, boy....

"cbrad wrote:

Tua absolutely needs to start this game. If he's not available when it matters most, especially 3 weeks after a concussion, then it really strengthens the argument he's too unreliable due to fragility.

I'm not sure I agree that it strengthens an argument that he's fragile, but it would strengthen the argument that if he isn't healthy enough after 3 weeks recovery then he has likely suffered very serious head injuries this season and should probably hang up the cleats.

"TheHighExhaulted wrote:

As long as he gets to stage 4 of concussion protocol by midweek and gets to 5 by later in the week (full practices), Tua starting Sunday can certainly happen. As Jay Glazer has said, a playoff game has been Tua's target. McDaniel speaking today around 4:30. https://t.co/wdwqK6VN5e

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 9, 2023

Sounds like Tua could possibly be in Phase III of the protocol.

Or stage 2, or stage 1.

Wonder if McDaniel actually provides some information today more than his standard.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

I'm not sure I agree that it strengthens an argument that he's fragile

Of course it would strengthen the argument he's unreliable due to fragility. What else would it be? It's either his 2nd or 3rd concussion, missing time when it matters most. A less fragile QB either wouldn't have suffered those concussions, or would recover faster.

Any word on Armstead? He’s tier 2 priority to protect whoever starts at QB

"mlb1399 wrote:

Any word on Armstead? He’s tier 2 priority to protect whoever starts at QB

He has been listed with 4 injuries on the last couple injury reports. (Toe, Pec, Hip, Knee)

Who even knows what exactly is keeping him out? Pectoral was thought to be serious, but he has comeback and played since missing games earlier due to the pec. Now he is out again.

Might aswell just list him as; “Way to Late in the season for Terron Armstead to be available.”

Even still we desperately need him, no matter how busted he is at this point .

Yeah. I think you won't know anything about Armstead. Even when he plays, he never practices. So he'll probably be another gametime decision.

"dolphin25 wrote:

Dolphins are undefeated when Skylar starts and finishes the game!!

Hey, that's the stat of the week (if it's true, LOL)! I thought he did prep for one week early on and we lost.

"cbrad wrote:

Tua absolutely needs to start this game. If he's not available when it matters most, especially 3 weeks after a concussion, then it really strengthens the argument he's too unreliable due to fragility.

I don't know if his availability this weekend should factor in at all. I think we all already know he's unreliable due to injury concerns at this point. 3 concussions in a year span, one was really horrific to see. Didn't he miss a game last year for one as well? The thing with concussions is one makes you more vulnerable for the next. We're at 2 (technically 3) we officially know about from this year already. I think you absolutely have to factor that in to long term decision making with Tua regardless of his status for this weeks game. I get your point though; but I'm just taking it further here because IMO we've already got enough reason to be concerned.

This team is banged up but I have faith. They will compete and hopefully keep it close waiting for that Allen interception.

"brandon27 wrote:

I don't know if his availability this weekend should factor in at all. I think we all already know he's unreliable due to injury concerns at this point. 3 concussions in a year span, one was really horrific to see. Didn't he miss a game last year for one as well? The thing with concussions is one makes you more vulnerable for the next. We're at 2 (technically 3) we officially know about from this year already. I think you absolutely have to factor that in to long term decision making with Tua regardless of his status for this weeks game. I get your point though; but I'm just taking it further here because IMO we've already got enough reason to be concerned.

I agree we have enough reason to be concerned regardless of whether he's available this weekend, but the difference in perception and effect on this team of him being available this weekend vs. not being available is massive. This is the playoffs. If you as an NFL player are willing to play in a violent game where concussions are part of it, then man up and help the team win!

If on the other hand you're not into that kind of stuff, then please quit so we don't have to keep hoping for everything to be just right for you to contribute. That's the way I look at it. So assuming the medical examiner isn't flat out saying Tua can't play, Tua better play.

Don’t think the medical staff is going to clear Tua this week. He’s legit the only shot we have at winning the game too. The more interesting thing will who we replace Boyer with and what QB is brought in to compete/be reliable when Tua inevitably gets hurt again.

And the hits keep on coming...

"Berezo wrote:

Don’t think the medical staff is going to clear Tua this week. He’s legit the only shot we have at winning the game too. The more interesting thing will who we replace Boyer with and what QB is brought in to compete/be reliable when Tua inevitably gets hurt again.

I truly hope they don't. Players want to play. Listen to Chris Nowinski. The medical staff needs to protect players from themselves. You are going to bring a player back who hasn't played, practiced, or done any football stuff for 2-3 weeks into his 1st playoff game ever in Buffalo against the 2nd best defense in the sport? Against Matt Milano who has a history of killing guys including Tua. Oh, and you might be missing your 2 starting OTs on a line that's already shi*. This is someone who sustained a concussion and couldn't remember things from the previous day. Someone who spoke up about his issues ONLY AFTER being told to. Honestly this is so damn CRINGE. Please don't make this man play and risk getting 4 concussions in 112 days. His life is in the balance.

Another positive sign. Not saying he's close but, he's obviously been working out behind the scenes.

"StaleTacos wrote:

I truly hope they don't. Players want to play. Listen to Chris Nowinski. The medical staff needs to protect players from themselves. You are going to bring a player back who hasn't played, practiced, or done any football stuff for 2-3 weeks into his 1st playoff game ever in Buffalo against the 2nd best defense in the sport? Against Matt Milano who has a history of killing guys including Tua. Oh, and you might be missing your 2 starting OTs on a line that's already shi*. This is someone who sustained a concussion and couldn't remember things from the previous day. Someone who spoke up about his issues ONLY AFTER being told to. Honestly this is so damn CRINGE. Please don't make this man play and risk getting 4 concussions in 112 days. His life is in the balance.

Stop being dramatic. You don't give a shti. lol