The good news keeps pouring in for Tua Tagovailoa. The latest health update for the former Alabama quarterback is all positive, indicating he’ll go very early in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media shared Monday that the three-month CT scan for Tagovailoa “was as positive as possible.” He noted that the fracture has fully healed, that the hip and range of motion is good, and finished by saying “the expectation is for a very good medical exam at the Combine” if Tagovailoa’s recovery continues to progress the way it has so far.
Tagovailoa will still not be cleared for football activities for another month, per Rapoport, but teams needing a quarterback have to be thrilled with the progress he has made since going down in a heap following a brutal hit last November.
Initially, Tagovailoa’s injury was compared to the one Bo Jackson suffered, which ended his career. It turned out not to be the case, and the marvels of modern science heavily contributed as well to what’s been a swift, and totally successful recovery for Tagovailoa. He’s set to be ready for a pro day prior to the draft, and teams will have him in for private workouts.
Assuming everything continues to be positive for Tagoaviloa as he moves toward full health and clearance for football activities, the quarterback is working his way back into the conversation as the potential No. 1 overall pick, Joe Burrow hype be damned. The Cincinnati Bengals are rumored to be all in on Burrow, but that’s not set in stone.
The Miami Dolphins are reportedly enamored with Tagovailoa and would be willing to trade all the way up to No. 2 overall to land him. The Los Angeles Chargers just said goodbye to Philip Rivers and have the No. 6 overall pick. The Carolina Panthers could move Cam Newton and pick at No. 7.
The bottom line is that there is a ton of need around the NFL as teams are desperate to find a quarterback that can lead them to the promised land. Tagovailoa is an elite prospect. His health is the only red flag. If teams can convince themselves he’s not injury prone and love his medicals, then he’ll go very, very early.