Things just aren’t going well for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. After a 33-8 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, head coach Mike McDaniel publicly criticized his performance, followed by a scathing remark from former teammate Richie Incognito. Now, another hit is coming his way, and it could put him in a fix.

The quarterback is heading into the next few games without two of his most crucial protectors. Right tackle Austin Jackson (toe) and right guard James Daniels (pectoral) have been placed on injured reserve. Stepping in are Kion Smith, an undrafted tackle making his first NFL start, and veteran guard Larry Borom, whose recent form has raised concerns.

The entire right side of the line, meant to shield Tagovailoa’s blindside, now looks shaky and ready to collapse.

The 27-year-old’s struggles continue to pile up, even as criticism from inside and outside the locker room grows louder.

After Tua’s dismal Week 1 performance, 14 of 23 for 114 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs in a 33-8 rout by the Colts, head coach McDaniel offered a stark, public assessment: “I think I saw quarterback play that was less than to be desired… Which Tua absolutely knows.”

McDaniel’s critique was soon echoed, more bluntly, by former Dolphins and Pro Bowl offensive guard Richie Incognito. “Tua is a–,” he declared on The Arena Show. “He looks bad. I mean, he is a–.” Incognito pointed to an offense with no rhythm, no deep shots to Tyreek Hill, and a QB who looked utterly lost and got sacked 3 times.

“They’re running all these crazy offensive plays and nothing seems to work.” The sting is sharper because we’ve seen Tua’s ceiling; his Pro Bowl 2023 season with 4,624 yards and 29 TDs proved his capability in this very system.

“When Tua proves he can do it in 2023, with the same offensive coordinator, this genius, McDaniel and he doesn’t do it now, it stinks even more.” The criticism, while harsh, is backed by the tape and the fear of McDaniels being fired, too. Now, with his protection crumbling, defenses know exactly how to strike.

Will Tua’s unproven linemen protect him?

Colts cornerback Xavien Howard, who knows a thing or two about Tua’s tendencies, explained the blueprint to frazzle him: “We knew the guy, he gets the ball out pretty quick. And once we take away his first read, I feel like it’s panic mode after that.” This is the defense every will now employ, especially with two new linemen on his blindside.

The mission for Smith and Borom isn’t just to block; it’s to become a seamless part of an offense that runs on timing and trust. As center Aaron Brewer put it, the new duo needs “more dedication. More communication, hyper focus… You want to make a name for yourself, make sure you come in and there’s no drop off.”

For Smith, this is a career-defining audition. “Got to be better,” he admitted, fully aware of the doubters. The Dolphins have invested years in his development, and GM Chris Grier once boasted that other teams asked about him in trades.

Now, that faith is being tested. Borom, too, believes Miami’s wide-zone scheme “allows me to be more aggressive and attack things… It suits me better.” his struggles throughout training camp make that belief a hope more than a certainty.

The concern around Borom is rooted in hard data. Last season, as an injury fill-in for the Chicago Bears, he was graded by ProFootballFocus as one of the league’s worst offensive linemen, posting a dismal 48.0 overall grade while allowing 25 pressures and 3 sacks in limited action

In the 2025 preseason, he allowed 2 pressures and drew a holding penalty  raising concerns as he steps into a starting role.

Tua Tagovailoa’s career has long balanced between sharp accuracy and costly hesitation. Now, with his protection shaken and criticism mounting, the Dolphins have confirmed a second major setback. The next chapter depends on whether Tua and his reshuffled line can handle the pressure.