MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will return to practice this week after missing the team's last four games, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.

Tagovailoa was placed on the injured list after he was diagnosed with a concussion in Week 2, the third diagnosed concussion of his NFL career. In his absence this season, the Dolphins (2-4) have lost three of their four games and are 2½ games behind the AFC East leaders Buffalo Bills.

McDaniel said medical experts have deemed Tagovailoa's return safe; Barring any setbacks, Tagovailoa and the Dolphins are aiming for him to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. He hasn't technically passed the concussion protocol yet, but won't be able to do so until he starts training again.

“This week our plan (for Tagovailoa) is to start practice on Wednesday,” McDaniel said. “The eviction will only take place after some activity, but of course we hope that everything goes well so that he can play on Sunday. But that’s still being sorted out.”

Tagovailoa spent the last month resting and meeting with “several” neurologists to determine the feasibility of returning to play – including some of the same doctors he saw in 2022. Everyone, he said, gave him permission to continue playing.

The quarterback said Monday that he never considered retiring and has been symptom-free since the day after his concussion. He also said he will not be wearing a Guardian cap when he returns to the game. Dolphins running back De'Von Achane wore a Guardian cap in Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts as he returned from a concussion.

When asked about his decision not to wear a Guardian Cap, Tagovailoa replied, “personal decision.”

In a statement released to ESPN, Guardian Sports, maker of the Guardian Cap, said it respects players' preferences when it comes to using its product.

“At Guardian Sports we place great importance on the health, safety and wellbeing of all players. We believe that reducing the impact of non-concussive hits can make a difference throughout a player's career. “However, we also recognize that no product can make a player concussion-proof, and we support and respect that every athlete has personal preferences when it comes to their equipment,” said Jake Hanson, the Chief Operating Officer from Guardian Sports, in the statement.

McDaniel reiterated Monday that the decision to place Tagovailoa on the injured list was based on the recommendation of medical experts. Tagovailoa admitted he was frustrated with his placement on injured reserve but understood why the Dolphins made their decision.

Tagovailoa was injured when he made contact at the end of a scramble during Miami's loss to the Bills in Week 2. McDaniel said Tagovailoa will return to the field knowing his responsibility to protect himself in similar situations in the future.

To do that, Tagovailoa said he has to change the style of play that made him the top-ranked dual-threat quarterback out of high school.

“I have to be smart. That’s it, I have to be smart,” he said. “I was a competitor throughout my football days and that was at least my advantage when I ran – I did the same thing from high school through college. … The professional level, the best of the best, you just can't do that. So I definitely have to stay more available to the team, to the organization and to our guys.

Tagovailoa was tense and visibly upset during his first media appearance in more than a month, reflecting his frustration with the attention paid to his health.

He said he paid no attention to outside noise or opinions about his health or playing career, but thanked everyone who was genuinely concerned about his well-being. Tagovailoa added that he didn't want to be known for his concussions, but accepted that those were “the cards I was dealt.”

“I have to be smart. That's it, I have to be smart. Throughout my time as a football player, I was a competitor and that was, or was, my advantage, so to speak, when I ran – from height. “In school I would do the same thing… You just can't do the best of the best.

Tua Tagovailoa

Tagovailoa missed five games in 2022 due to two diagnosed concussions, including Miami's playoff loss to the Bills, and suffered a third blow to the head that ultimately led to the NFL changing its concussion reporting policy. One of his concussions briefly hospitalized him during a nationally televised game against the Cincinnati Bengals and occurred four days after a blow to the head that appeared to leave a concussion but was ultimately described as a back injury.

“I just think this is only becoming a thing because of what happened for myself in this sport two years ago,” he said. “I hate that it happened, but we don’t see boxers being a problem here in the league in the same way.”

Tyler Huntley has started the last three games for the Dolphins, but left Sunday's game against the Colts with a right shoulder injury. McDaniel said it's unclear who Tagovailoa's replacement will be should he clear concussion protocol in time for Sunday's game.

Miami's offense, which led the league in yards receiving last season, has struggled without its starting quarterback. The Dolphins average a league-worst 11.67 points per game and rank 23rd in passing yards per game.

McDaniel said the team can't view Tagovailoa as a “savior” as it bounces back after a rough start. If he is able to clear protocol and play this week, he is not worried about the risks associated with playing football, Tagovailoa said.

“Well, how much risk are we taking when we get up in the morning and drive to work? “Could you possibly get into a car accident?” he said. “Every time we all get dressed, we all run the risk of potentially getting hurt. Whether it's a concussion, a broken bone, or anything, getting out of bed incorrectly can potentially put you at risk of spraining your ankle.

“There is simply a risk in everything and everyone. I’m willing to take the risk.”

While Tagovailoa appears to be close to returning, the Dolphins received bad news on Monday regarding another player's injury. An MRI revealed that wide receiver and kick returner Braxton Berrios suffered a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Berrios suffered his injury in Sunday's loss to the Colts.

ESPN's Michele Steele contributed to this report.