Miami Dolphins

The Denver Broncos are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in trade talks for linebacker Bradley Chubb.

Peter King of NBC Sports reported the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are among the teams interested and could wind up being willing to part with a first before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.

Chubb is in the final year of his rookie contract and could become an unrestricted free agent at season's end if he doesn't sign an extension, and that'll be a factor in trade talks.

King noted the only way a team is likely to meet the Broncos' first-round asking price would be if they also have a "deal done with Chubb beyond this year."

The 26-year-old NC State product has been hampered by injuries during his five-year run with Denver since being selected in the first round of the 2018 draft. He missed 24 games over the past three years, including 10 last year with an ankle injury.

That said, he's been an effective pass-rusher when healthy, tallying 26 sacks across 49 career regular-season appearances. He's recorded 5.5 sacks in eight games so far in 2022.

Chubb said Friday it was "cool to be in a position where the interest comes in" but explained his focus remained on helping the Broncos.

"I'm not even thinking about that, bro," Chubb told reporters. "I'm just focused on these guys right here, orange, white and blue. Be the best leader, got the 'C' on my chest for a reason. Captains don't let stuff get to them. They don't sweat under pressure."

While both the Jets and Dolphins, who are AFC East rivals, could use an edge-rushing upgrade, it's probably a bigger need for Miami.

The Dolphins have recorded a modest 15 sacks in eight games so far this season, including just one takedown of the Detroit Lions' Jared Goff on Sunday. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips leads the team with three sacks.

Miami has looked like an emerging contender when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been healthy, but making it out of a conference with top-tier QBs like the Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen and Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes will require the ability to create pressure.

General manager Chris Grier, who's already shown his willingness to make a splash with a high-profile deal for wide receiver Tyreek Hill in the offseason, has until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to decide whether to bolster his defense with Chubb or another edge-rusher.

A woman filed a lawsuit against Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard on Thursday in a Broward County Circuit Court accusing him of knowingly giving her genital herpes, according to Devoun Cetoute and Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald.

The woman says in her lawsuit that when the pair first met in 2018, Howard said he didn't have STDs and even showed her test results confirming as much. She said that he contracted herpes in 2019 but didn't inform her.

"With knowledge of his incurable sexually transmitted disease, and without disclosure, Defendant Howard continued to engage in unprotected sex with Plaintiff without informing her of same," the lawsuit read.

The woman tested positive for genital herpes in 2021 and says in the lawsuit that Howard is the only person who could have given it to her. She said that Howard ultimately apologized after initially denying he had the disease.

"Maaaaan I been told you I was sorry for giving it to you," Howard told her, according to the lawsuit. "But what can I do now? The damage is done. You keep bringing it up as if it gon change sumthin. Like yo ass can't move on."

She is seeking damages of more than $30,000 and has requested that the trial be heard in front of a jury.

Howard, 29, is in his seventh season with the Dolphins. The three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro has registered 15 tackles and five passes defensed this season. He has 27 interceptions for his career.

Sunday Night Football in Miami began with "Tua" chants ringing throughout Hard Rock Stadium. Despite turning in a shaky performance, Tua Tagovailoa's triumphant return helped snap the Miami Dolphins' three-game losing streak.

Tagovailoa just taking the field became a step in the right direction after what the 24-year-old endured during the third and fourth weeks of the season.

Some might even say his return came too soon after the signal-caller entered a fencing response position when thrown to the ground and was subsequently carted off the field against the Cincinnati Bengals.

"I wouldn't say it was scary for me at the time because there was a point where I was unconscious, so I couldn't really tell what was going on," Tagovailoa told reporters 20 days after suffering the concussion.

The incident, especially after the quarterback seemingly suffered head trauma during the previous week's play against the Buffalo Bills, helped spark positive change throughout the league.
The NFL and NFLPA agreed to update concussion protocols after an investigation into the handling of Tagovailoa's assessment. Any player who now shows signs of ataxia (or lack of coordination caused by poor muscle control) will be immediately removed from the game.

Despite the scary situation, the Dolphins' starting quarterback was eventually going to take the field again. Officially, a team of doctors cleared Tagovailoa from the concussion protocol on Oct. 15, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. He practiced this week to resume his role.

"Just to have him back out there, his energy, his leadership, the way that he's able to have fun playing this game throughout it all, man, it's just amazing," wide receiver Tyreek Hill said Friday. "It's always fun to have your brother back out there on the field."

Tagovailoa helped lead Miami to a 16-10 victory Sunday over the Pittsburgh Steelers in a performance that wasn't always pretty. In fact, he made some downright terrible throws throughout the night. But the Dolphins seemingly have a solid plan to keep their quarterback upright and eventually take advantage of all the weapons on offense.

The first drive of the night showed exactly how Mike McDaniel's offense can operate with its starter behind center while still making sure Tagovailoa isn't consistently placed in harm's way.

Prior to the start of the game, NBC's Melissa Stark reported that the quarterback told her he needed to get the ball out of his hand quickly and throw it away when nothing is available. Those changes sort of happened.

Miami upped the tempo to open the contest with a heavy reliance on quick hitters, run-pass options and play-action throws over the middle of the field. It worked well to start. In fact, Tagovailoa's average time to throw on the night (2.38 seconds) turned into the fifth-quickest of his career, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Ultimately, Tagovailoa made a smart decision during his eight-yard touchdown pass to running back Raheem Mostert.

.@Tua scrambles and finds @RMos_8Ball for 6!

Perfect opening drive for the @MiamiDolphins.

📺: #PITvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/vDQGJ9SfCd pic.twitter.com/KO46xWblMB

— NFL (@NFL) October 24, 2022

As Tagovailoa climbed the pocket, he had two options: He could either run the ball in an attempt to gain a first down or flip the ball to Mostert out in the flat. The third-year quarterback ended up making the right decision.

A good start gave way to multiple poor decisions, starting with the second drive when Tagovailoa decided to lower his shoulder into linebacker Devin Bush while attempting to get a first down. He did so again later in the contest, and everyone in the stadium and those watching at home held their collective breath.

"I could see the first-down marker. They were close calls," Tagovailoa told reporters after the game. "I wasn't trying to be Superman. I was just looking at the situation."

McDaniel added what his quarterback said to him afterward, "Coach, I'm sorry, I needed that."

Eventually, all quarterbacks take hits. Even in today's game, when the position is protected at all costs, they will still receive a pounding. It's all about limiting the damage.

A quicker pace, fast reads, getting the ball out quickly and trying to establish the run every week certainly help. The quarterback still needs to do his job when called upon.

Ill-advised runs by Tagovailoa aside, his overall accuracy left much to be desired.

The quarterback didn't get into much of a rhythm most of the night. Numerous throws were a tad behind his targets when they were available for completions. Four passes could have turned into interceptions if Steelers defenders hung onto the ball.

They didn't, though, and in the end, they'll be registered as simple incompletions. But Tagovailoa must clean up his play in order for his team to legitimately compete on a week-by-week basis.

"The defense gets us stops, the offense goes and puts points on the board, and the defense can help put points on the board, as well as special teams. So for me, I just look at it as coming into this week and just be myself. Don't try to force anything. Don't try to make plays that aren't there—just give our playmakers the ball and let them go to work."

Granted, the quarterback forced some things. Still, the outcome came courtesy of the Dolphins picking off Kenny Pickett in each of Pittsburgh's final two offensive series. Miami's defenders didn't drop the ball, which secured the victory.

Adjustments must be made in the coming weeks. The playbook must expand so opposing defenses can't constrict the field. Despite all of the speed the Dolphins feature in Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside, the dynamic duo can be negated to a degree if the emphasis is solely on getting the ball out as quickly as possible.

Deep threats are a big part of the potential found in the Dolphins' offense. They weren't readily apparent Sunday. Tagovailoa's longest throw went 32 yards to Trent Sherfield.

Nonetheless, the coaching staff took the smart approach with its quarterback. Multiple elements used Sunday must continue, with wrinkles continually added to get everyone involved and humming at full capacity.

"We should be scoring more points than we are," McDaniel admitted. "Everyone on the team would agree with that. There's not fairy dust to sprinkle. We have to identify and address the hiccups."

Then, the chants for Tagovailoa won't center on a return to the field. While those were great to hear after what the quarterback experienced, they'll be deserved based on the on-field product as the Dolphins battle their way through the rugged AFC East, with all four teams currently .500 or better.

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Brent Sobleski covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter, @brentsobleski.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made his return from a two-game absence against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football and injected some much-needed energy into the team.

With Tagovailoa leading the way, the Dolphins defeated the Steelers 16-10 at Hard Rock Stadium. The victory ends a three-game losing streak for Miami.

Tagovailoa was solid in his return, throwing for 261 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-35 passing. In his first game since suffering a scary concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals, the 24-year-old showed no fear and even tucked the ball a few times to pick up 15 yards on the ground.

Sunday's game was a gritty one, as is any contest against Pittsburgh, but Tagovailoa was up to the challenge. Even with some questionable passes that could've turned into interceptions, he didn't let his previous injury slow him in any way.

NFL Twitter was impressed with Tagovailoa for the toughness he showed against the Steelers:

Credit Tua for being a tough fearless QB. That's twice he didn't slide and wanted the extra yardage. (Some might say dumb, too.)

— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) October 24, 2022

Tua's fearless bruh

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) October 24, 2022

Say what you want about Tua but he's a tough SOB

— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) October 24, 2022

Tua fearless on that contact.

— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) October 24, 2022

https://twitter.com/BenStinar/status/1584349527040876544

Tua has certainly not been perfect tonight but he’s so tough man he wants to win so bad you can just see it

— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) October 24, 2022

Tua's processing + quick release combined with the wild speed of these receivers makes this a massively tough offense to deal with. You're seeing it right now.

Tua's been lightning quick.

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) October 24, 2022

Tua is too tough for his own good

— Lion (The System) (@Champ_Lion) October 24, 2022

I appreciate his toughness, but gah damn Tua protect yourself and slide

— LC (@laurencowling) October 24, 2022

What the hell us Tua thinking? I mean I love the toughness, but WTF? #Steelers

— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) October 24, 2022

Tua coming off of back to back injuries still putting his shoulder down and going straight into the defense thats TOUGHNESS right there

— Kaleb (@KalebDT_) October 24, 2022

Tua I love the Grit and the toughness!! But. No more lowering the head!! Please for the love of god! #finsup

— Pete (@DemCanes04) October 24, 2022

Tua is picking up right where he left off. Accurate and decisive. Can’t even tell that he missed the past couple of games. Credit to him and McDaniel for getting him into rhythm right away.

— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) October 24, 2022

I give Tua all the credit in the world for continuing to put it all out there. It can’t be easy to do. But bro, I’m holding my breath every time

— Josh Allen Stats (@JoshAllenStats) October 24, 2022

Tua is one tough dude

— John III (@JustDoIt_28) October 24, 2022

I give Tua a lot of credit!! Man is a dawg, gutsy as hell!!

— Terry (@tsmith6309) October 24, 2022

Prior to his prolonged absence, Tagovailoa had led Miami to a 3-0 start to the season, including a win over the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills. The Alabama product is clearly the difference-maker for the Dolphins and could help the team contend for a playoff spot this season.

Miami will look to build on the momentum from this week when they travel to face the Detroit Lions next Sunday.

Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovailoa briefly lost consciousness following the hit that left him with a concussion in a 27-15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday, the third-year quarterback recounted the moment and said his memory of the night is hazy:

Tua Tagovailoa of experiencing the concussion: "I wouldn't say it was scary for me at the time because there was a point where I was unconscious. I couldn't tell what was going on."

He remembers up to the point where he got tackled, doesn't remember stretcher, etc.

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) October 19, 2022

There was a point I was unconscious. I remember the entire night up until the point I got tackled. I don’t remember being carted off. I do remember some things from the ambulance and the hospital. - Tua pic.twitter.com/TgImx1G9Ls

— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) October 19, 2022

Bengals defensive tackle Josh Tupou sacked Tagovailoa in the second quarter of the game, with Tagovailoa's head hitting the turf. He was eventually placed into an ambulance and transported to a local hospital.

Whether the Miami signal-caller should've been playing in the first place became part of the conversation as well.

Days earlier in a 21-19 win over the Buffalo Bills, there was a moment when Tagovailoa struggled to get to his feet after a hit. The Dolphins initially said he was questionable to return with a head injury but said later he was experiencing ankle and back issues.

A joint investigation by the NFL and NFL Players Association didn't find any violations of the league's concussion protocols. Still, the two sides agreed to tweak the protocols since "the outcome in this case was not what was intended."

There were also reportedly "several mistakes" by the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who helped clear Tagovailoa to return against the Bills, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, and the players union unilaterally fired the consultant.

Tagovailoa missed Miami's last two games, both of which were defeats for the Dolphins as they carry a three-game losing streak into Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the team should have its starting quarterback Sunday after he exited the NFL's concussion protocols.

The Miami Dolphins are "willing to listen" to trade offers for tight end Mike Gesicki, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

A deal may not materialize before the Nov. 1 deadline, though. Fowler reported Miami "isn't quite shopping his services to other teams," and his $10.9 million salary is turning some prospective suitors away.

Offering Gesicki a one-year franchise tender made sense at the time. He was coming off a 2021 season in which he set career highs in receptions (73) and receiving yards (780). The Dolphins bought themselves more time to gauge whether a long-term extension made sense.

But it didn't take long for questions to arise regarding Gesicki's suitability in head coach Mike McDaniels' offense.

Pro Football Focus' Doug Kyed reported in August the Dolphns had "brought up" the 6'6" pass-catcher in informal discussions with other teams. General manager Chris Grier disputed the characterization and said the team didn't initiate those conversations.

Dolphins GM Chris Grier said they didn’t make any calls to teams to trade Mike Gesicki. He notes they received calls from two teams asking about Gesicki. But weren’t looking to trade him. Grier said they will always listen but doesn’t mean we do anything.

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 30, 2022

Gesicki's usage has done little to quell the general discussions over his role.

Through six games, he has caught 15 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. In three of those appearances, he was on the field for fewer than 50 percent of Miami's offensive snaps, something that happened just once in 2021.

The 27-year-old may have made a breakthrough in Sunday's 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings as he hauled in six catches for 69 yards and two scores.

Still, the Dolphins may better off using Gesicki to help strengthen other areas of the field prior to the deadline.

Without Armstead and others struggling, this feels like last year with OL being real liability. Ideally Gesicki or Cedrick Wilson - who would put up numbers with more chances elsewhere - could be parlayed into OL or CB help via trade.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) October 16, 2022

The obvious hurdle there is getting another team to bite.

Gesicki isn't the kind of player who will help a playoff contender get over the top, and his salary doesn't match what he's giving you on the field.

For any GMs who have the 2018 second-round pick on their radar, waiting until the offseason and signing him as a free agent might be the best course of action.

Rest assured, the Miami Dolphins players haven't put down the Ping-Pong paddles.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Wednesday that Tyreek Hill and other team captains had voted to remove a Ping-Pong table from the locker room to take away one distraction from their pregame preparations.

Hill clarified Thursday he simply wanted to upgrade:

Vital breaking news: Tyreek Hill says he has ordered a special Miami Dolphins ping-pong table to replace the previous one, which wasn’t up to standards. Says it’s just a past time and that it in no way interferes with football preparation.

— Hal Habib (@gunnerhal) October 13, 2022

Ahead of his first season as head coach of the Buffalo Bills, Sean McDermott famously wanted to set a new tone by removing the Ping-Pong table the players had put into the locker room under former coach Rex Ryan. Video game systems and an air hockey table were axed as well.

The Bills proceeded to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999, so maybe McDermott was onto something.

The Dolphins have lost back-to-back games following a 3-0 start, though they're also missing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. If their losing streak extends to three games or more, then perhaps Hill's custom table may not be long for the Miami locker room.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out for the Week 6 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Wednesday.

"I don't see a scenario. ... I don't see him being active. And I do not plan to have him play," McDaniel said.

Rookie Skylar Thompson is expected to get the start. If Teddy Bridgewater is cleared to play, he will likely back up Thompson, McDaniel added.

Tagovailoa has missed one game since suffering a concussion on a scary hit that sent him to the hospital in a Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. It came just four days after he exhibited concussion-like symptoms in a Week 3 matchup against the Buffalo Bills but was allowed to return to the game.

An investigation into the handling of Tagovailoa's injuries resulted in the NFL's decision to make changes to its concussion protocol.

Before being sidelined, Tagovailoa completed 69.6 percent of his passes for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns against three interceptions, in addition to rushing for a score. He had the Dolphins atop the AFC East and looked like a breakout candidate.

With Tagovailoa out, Bridgewater filled in as Miami's starting quarterback. However, he also entered concussion protocol in Sunday's loss to the New York Jets and was replaced by Thompson.

The Dolphins are 3-2 on the season, third place in the AFC East. Their playoff hopes likely hinge on Tagovailoa's health.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the New York Jets after he was evaluated for a head injury and replaced by Skylar Thompson.

Bridgewater was replaced under the updated concussion protocol, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:

#Dolphins QB Teddy Bridgewater was ruled out due to the concussion protocol, to be specific. He passed the tests administered by docs, but due to the new adjustments to the protocol and based on what the spotter saw, he was ruled out.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 9, 2022

The Louisville product came into 2022 as the backup to Tua Tagovailoa, but the starter was already sidelined for Sunday's game because of a head injury.

Bridgewater entered play having completed 56 percent of his passes for 193 yards, one touchdown and one interception this season.

A 2015 Pro Bowler, he played in only one game during the 2016 and 2017 seasons after suffering a serious leg injury that threatened his career. He has been largely healthy since returning to football late in the 2017 campaign.