What's Wrong with Tua Tagovailoa's Eye? Will He Play Tonight vs Ravens?

Tua Tagovailoa’s Unpredictable Journey

Tua Tagovailoa has had a rollercoaster of a season, with one game being his worst and the next being his best. In Week 7, he struggled immensely, but in Week 8, he woke up with an eye swollen shut and delivered one of his finest performances. As fans look ahead to a Thursday night matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, they’re left wondering what to expect from the quarterback.

One thing is certain: the visor that Tua wore during the game against the Atlanta Falcons is making a return. This was the first time he had worn a visor since high school, and it seems to have had a positive impact. In that game, he completed 20 of 26 passes for 205 yards and a season-high four touchdowns, with zero interceptions in a 34-10 victory. That performance was a stark contrast to his previous outing, where he was benched after completing just over 50% of his passes for 100 yards and three interceptions in a 31-6 loss at the Cleveland Browns.

The Eye Issue and Its Impact

Tagovailoa explained that he woke up with his eye swollen shut, and while he wasn't sure whether it was a stye or an allergic reaction, the medical staff treated it with antibiotics. After the game, he mentioned that he could see much better than before, which he attributed to the treatment. He also noted that he would continue wearing the visor even after his eye fully healed.

This incident raises questions about how this injury might affect his performance moving forward. Fans are hoping that this issue will be the catalyst for a turnaround in both Tua's career and the Dolphins' season. The team has started the season with a 2-6 record, leading to a lot of criticism and calls for changes, including demands to fire coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier. Some fans are even considering parting ways with the franchise quarterback, who signed the richest contract in team history but has faced backlash for his comments regarding teammates showing up late to meetings.

Tua’s Injury History

Tua’s career has been marked by a series of injuries. At Alabama, he suffered a high-ankle sprain during the 2018 SEC championship game, which led to "tightrope" surgery and a return for the College Football Playoff run. The following season, he dislocated his right hip on the last play of his college career, which affected his draft status.

In the NFL, Tua has dealt with multiple concussions. His first came in 2022, just four days after a hard hit. On Thursday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals, he was slammed to the turf and showed signs of head trauma. A few weeks later, he suffered another head injury against the Green Bay Packers on Christmas Day. In Week 2 of the 2024 season, he dove into safety Damar Hamlin, resulting in another head injury.

Over his first five NFL seasons, Tua has missed 15 regular-season games and one playoff game. In 2024 alone, he missed six games, including the last two due to a hip injury and four while on injured reserve with a concussion.

Tua’s Season Stats

Through eight weeks, Tua has struggled offensively, leading the NFL with 10 interceptions and six fumbles. His 1,518 passing yards rank 21st in the league, and Pro Football Focus ranks him 36th among quarterbacks with a 60.6 overall grade.

2025 stats: - 159 of 231 (68.8%) passing for 1,518 yards and 15 touchdowns - 10 interceptions and 16 sacks for a 90.4 QB rating - 11 carries for 38 yards and 6 fumbles

2024 stats: - 291 of 399 (72.9%) passing for 2,867 yards and 19 touchdowns - 7 interceptions and 21 sacks for a 101.4 QB rating - 17 carries for 49 yards and 7 fumbles

Career stats: - 1,546 of 2,268 (68.2%) passing for 17,024 yards and 115 TDs - 54 INTs and 127 sacks for a 97.1 QB rating - 164 carries for 468 yards, 6 TDs and 42 fumbles

How to Watch the Dolphins vs. Ravens Game

Date:
Thursday, Oct. 30

Start Time:
8:15 p.m. ET

TV Channel:
CBS 4 Miami (WFOX)

Livestream:
Prime | Fubo (free trial)