Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said at a news conference Monday that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will return to practice on Wednesday and that the team plans to have him play against the Cardinals in week eight if all goes well in the coming days, but he said that a The answer to whether Tagovailoa will wear a Guardian cap has to come from the quarterback.

Tagovailoa got the opportunity later Monday. Dolphins running back De'Vachane wore a jersey in his return from a concussion against the Colts on Sunday, but Tagovailoa said he won't. Tagovailoa said “personal choice” when asked why he chose not to wear the extra protection.

Tagovailoa said he hasn't had concussion symptoms since the day after he suffered them in a Week 2 game against the Bills and that he hasn't had discussions about retiring during his time on injured reserve. Although he didn't exhibit any symptoms, Tagovailoa said he had no problem going on injured reserve because experts told him it was in his best interest to have “ample time to rest and recover.”

Tagovailoa was also asked about those who fear he is putting himself at risk of permanent problems due to brain injuries. He said that there is a “gray area” when it comes to what doctors believe regarding the long-term effects of concussions and that playing football “makes me happy and I will do it.”

“I Thank you for your concernsaid Tagovailoa. “I really do. I love this game. And I love it to death. This is it.”

Tagovailoa must attend practice before he can be fully cleared from the concussion protocol. It sounds like he expects that to happen this week, and the Dolphins will welcome him back to an offense that hasn't been productive since his injury.