Darren Waller thinks Tua Tagovailoa still struggles with trauma from head injuries

Darren Waller thinks Tua Tagovailoa still struggles with trauma from head injuries

Our Summary

Dolphins tight end Darren Waller has expressed concerns that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's struggles may be psychological, potentially linked to past brain injuries. Speaking on Johnny Manziel's podcast, Waller praised Tagovailoa's passing skills observed during practice but suggested that something might hinder his performance during games. Waller referenced the book The Body Keeps the Score to explain how psychological trauma might affect Tagovailoa, noting traits that suggest ongoing struggles. Despite these challenges, Tagovailoa's $54 million guaranteed salary for 2026 indicates the Dolphins are likely to retain him, hoping he can overcome these obstacles and replicate his practice performance in games.

Originally by https://www.nbcsports.com/authors/michael-david-smithon January 16, 2026
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