Tua Tagovailoa is back and so is the Miami Dolphins' swagger.
Just ask Tyreek Hill.
"We're back, baby. Strike up the f---ing band," Hill said Wednesday, delivering a message to fantasy football owners. "We're back, baby. Start me this week. Let's go."
Without Tagovailoa, the Dolphins' offense has cratered. They currently rank 22nd in total yards per game, 27th in passing and dead last in points per game, averaging a meager 11.7. It's an incredibly far cry from the explosive attack for which Miami has built a reputation under coach Mike McDaniel, and has delivered a surprising lesson about the value of Tagovailoa to the Dolphins' offense.
Tagovailoa, who is in line to start this Sunday against the Cardinals, returned to practice this week for the first time since suffering a concussion in Week 2, perhaps providing the 2-4 Dolphins with a desperately needed lifeline.
Hill said there was no disruption of his and Tagovailoa's "beautiful" timing during Wednesday's practice session.
"I just had a big cheese on my face because it felt so good," Hill said."Y'all don't know what it do it to me, man."
From a fantasy perspective, Hill has been a tough play without Tagovailoa in the lineup. The 2023 receiving leader has caught just 17 passes for 164 yards in his last five games, all but eliminating a coveted weapon for fantasy owners -- and the Dolphins.
With Tagovailoa preparing to return, Hill apparently has seen enough to feel encouraged. He isn't afraid to send a message to the rest of the league that the Dolphins are on the verge of returning to form.
