Where to watch Dolphins vs. Cardinals game: TV channel, NFL kickoff time, live stream, spread, odds

Tua Tagovailoa looks set to return for Miami as its season hangs in the balance

By Steven Taranto

Oct 26, 2024 at 7:00 pm ET • 1 min read

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Following Week 2, there was legitimate concern as to whether Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa would ever play football again, or if he even should. Following the latest in a series of concussions, Tagovailoa was placed on Injured Reserve and has stood as a mere spectator as the Dolphins have gone from being one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL to a mere popgun unit. But that may soon be set to change, and Tagovailoa return tour could be underway.

Ahead of the Dolphins' Week 8 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, Tagovailoa has returned to practice and is nearing the final steps in clearing the NFL's concussion protocol, which would put him back in the lineup just in time for this potentially pivotal point in Miami's season. After going 1-3 in Tagovailoa's absence, the Dolphins stand at 2-4 and are trying to avoid a 2-5 record that would put their AFC East title and playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. A large part of Miami's stumble has been due to instability at quarterback, as injuries to backups Skylar Thompson and Tyler Huntley had forced the team to turn to Tim Boyle during their 16-10 loss to the Indianapolis Colts a week ago.

At 3-4, the Cardinals can't afford to lose this game either, and they themselves are coming off of an inspiring 17-15 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers last Monday. For the Cardinals, that victory continued what has been the theme of their 2024 season: Though they sit just under .500, they have been impressive when they've performed at their best, such as when they beat the brakes off the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2 and then upset the San Francisco 49ers in Week 5.