Team news: Miami Dolphins | Page 31

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa is practicing Friday, according to Barry Jackson. He had been dealing with a non-COVID related illness.

Tua's return is important if starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick were to go down with injury in a plus matchup against the Seahawks defense.

Turron Davenport of ESPN documented how Titans QB Ryan Tannehill has spread the ball around in the passing game, leading to the team's early success in 2020. He focused on the chemistry built between Tannehill and TE Jonnu Smith, who have connected for three touchdowns this season.

"During the offseason, Tannehill and Smith met in South Beach for three throwing sessions per week," wrote Davenport. "Smith's three touchdowns have already matched his season total from last year."

Tannehill and Smith continue to impress off of last season's second half success. Tannehill will continue to be in the weekly QB1 conversation, and Smith is firmly entrenched as a weekly TE1.

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith returned to a full practice on Thursday.

Jonnu raised some alarm bells by sitting out Wednesday's practice, but it appears that the Titans just chose to manage Smith's reps while he is dealing with an ankle issue. Smith was a star in Week 2 but will have a much tougher test against the Minnesota Vikings Eric Kendricks, arguably the best cover linebacker in the NFL. Jonnu is our ninth ranked tight end for Week 3.

Actually, Jonnu Smith and quarterback Ryan Tannehill have been bringing on-field energy since the offseason, even when most weren’t.

While the pandemic forced most NFL teams and players to rely completely on virtual meetings in lieu of minicamp and organized team activities, which were canceled, Tannehill and Smith happened to be in the same part of the country at the time. The pair were able to get in some valuable one-on-one time while working at a park in South Florida, learning each other’s tendencies and developing the type of on-field chemistry that can be built, well, only on the field.

The chemistry is starting to show. Smith, who finished Sunday’s game with four catches for 84 yards and two touchdowns, replaced Delanie Walker as the team’s top tight end. Smith will likely start to get noticed on if he's on the waiver wire in your league.

When Dolphins head coach Brian Flores met with reporters after Sunday’s loss to the Patriots, he didn’t sound like he was planning a quarterback change.

He confirmed as much on Monday. Flores said that Ryan Fitzpatrick will remain the team’s starter when they face the Bills next Sunday.

Related players: Tua Tagovailoa

Fitzpatrick was 20-of-30 for 191 yards and three interceptions in the 21-11 loss to New England.