Dolphins player thinks Tua Tagovailoa is being held back by ‘trauma’

One Miami Dolphins player believes Tua Tagovailoa’s on-field struggles are largely mental.

In an appearance on Johnny Manziel’s “Glory Daze” podcast, Dolphins tight end Darren Waller marveled at how good Tagovailoa looks behind closed doors in practice, then contrasted it with the quarterback’s play during games. Waller believes Tagovailoa is still dealing with injury trauma that prevents the quarterback from really letting loose during games.

“When I showed up in training camp, I’m watching this man throw darts every practice,” Waller said. “I’d never seen the anticipation and the accuracy. What I think some of the disconnect comes from, I think there might be some trauma still stored in his body from what he’s gone through with the hits.

“I can notice him trying to make things happen in the game. He’s trying to pull the trigger, but it’s almost like his body and his system won’t allow him to do it. If there’s a way for him to find some healing in that regard, I think the skillset is definitely still there.”