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Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN
MIAMI — Dolphins coach Brian Flores gave a public endorsement Friday of Tua Tagovailoa, after rumors of a potential trade for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson again flared earlier this week.
“I don’t really get into rumors — Tua is our quarterback,” Flores said when asked about Watson. “We’re happy with the quarterback, our quarterback situation. I’ll leave it at that, which I’ve said multiple times.”
The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that a trade between Miami and Houston could be finalized this week involving Watson, who is facing 22 active lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate behavior. He requested a trade in January before the first such lawsuit was levied against him, and he has not played in or been active for any game this season.
Tagovailoa, who missed three games with fractured ribs, led the Dolphins to their lone win of the season in Week 1; they’re currently on a five-game losing streak.
Flores previously backed Tagovailoa during a team meeting the week leading up to Miami’s win over the Patriots. He publicly called Tagovailoa “our quarterback” later that week, saying it was important for players and coaches to feel as if they have their organization’s support.
“I think it means a lot with it coming from the head coach,” Tagovailoa said in September. “The support that I have from him and from the team, it means a lot.”
The No. 5 pick in 2020 has thrown for 544 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in three games this season, although he played only six snaps against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 before leaving with fractured ribs. He returned from injured reserve for Miami’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 33 of 47 passes for 329 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception.
Flores praised Tagovailoa’s play this season, as well as the way he conducts himself throughout the week.
“I think his preparation, the way he practices and the way he performs has been good. I thought he…
Source : espn
