Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa could sit preseason opener vs. Buccaneers

There could be a delay to Tua Tagovailoa’s debut in the Dolphins’ new-look offense.

Head coach Mike McDaniel said he was “encouraged about the idea” of not playing the third-year quarterback in Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after seeing him perform in recent practices.

McDaniel, however, did not commit either way when addressing reporters Thursday morning ahead of the team’s second day of joint practices with the Buccaneers in Tampa. He added that he would be “surprised” if Tagovailoa didn’t play in the preseason at all.

Last season, Tagovailoa played in parts of the team’s first two preseason games and then sat out the finale. He wrapped up a pair of joint practices against the Buccaneers with multiple touchdown passes Thursday and did not throw an interception in either session.

While Tagovailoa’s status for Saturday is up in the air, McDaniel said certain players likely would not play in the preseason opener.

“I talked to the team [Thursday] morning about it,” McDaniel said, “and as far as they’re concerned, everybody is expected to be prepared to play. But there certainly will be players that don’t, which [Thursday] will have a good impact on.”

Veterans such as cornerback Xavien Howard, left tackle Terron Armstead and outside linebacker Melvin Ingram have been limited in training camp as part of the team’s veteran maintenance program and likely will not play Saturday.

“I’ll do whatever coach says, whatever he needs me to do,” Armstead said after practice. “If I’m playing Saturday I’m going. ... We all need work, man. Everybody. You never get to a place where you just got it or perfect. It’s always a daily progression. So, whatever coach feels like that is, we’re going to roll with it.”

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill, also a strong candidate to sit out Saturday’s game, echoed Armstead’s sentiments.

“To me, I feel like I need the work,” Hill said. “But whatever coach sees fit for this team. I came here to play ball. Football is football to me. So, if I’m out there in the preseason, I’m going to give 110 [percent].”

McDaniel called the preseason an “extension of practice” with “elements of it that feels a little game-like.”

For McDaniel, it will be his first time calling plays as Dolphins head coach after spending time as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator working from the coaches’ booth on game days. However, he said he has split time during his career on the sideline and in the booth as an assistant.

McDaniel said he anticipates he will have four or five offensive coaches working from the booth and will mainly communicate with offensive coordinator Frank Smith on game day.

“But we’ll be resourcing everyone for tangible, equitable information on a down-in, down-out basis,” he said.

This and that

▪ Safety Jevon Holland said both he and inside linebacker Jerome Baker have been calling plays on defense but “nothing is set in stone.” While Baker has typically worn the helmet with communication abilities to relay calls, more NFL teams are shifting to give safeties that responsibility.

▪ Asked about how the offense performed Thursday, Hill said: “A few false starts in the receiver room that can be corrected. But all of our mistakes were correctable. So, it’s nothing crazy. Like I said, the sky is the limit for this offense. As you can see, it’s very electric. Very fun to watch. Lot of playmakers. So, I’m very excited.”

▪ Dolphins legend Nat Moore and Buccaneers legend Warren Sapp were both in attendance for Thursday’s practice.

▪ Hill announced the opening of a one-month pop-up shop for his Soul Runner athletic wear brand in Aventura Mall. The pop-up will sell items like hoodies, T-shirts and shorts.