The Arizona Cardinals spoil Tua Tagovailoa's return from concussion with a game-winning field goal as time expired

CNN
—

The Arizona Cardinals spoiled Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's return from a concussion on Sunday last month.

Trailing 27-25 in the fourth, kicker Chad Ryland hit a 34-yard field goal as time expired to give Arizona a 28-27 victory.

Tagovailoa played his first game since September 12th.

He received a standing ovation from fans at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida as he ran out of the tunnel during the performance.

The 26-year-old led the team to a touchdown on the first drive when running back Raheem Mostert scored on a 1-yard run.

Tagovailoa finished the game 28-38 for 234 yards and a touchdown as eight different players caught a pass from the starting quarterback.

The 27 points were the most the Dolphins scored all season.

After the game, Tagovailoa said it felt good to be playing again.

“It feels good to come back and play with my teammates to hopefully help in any way I can, ignite a spark for us offensively or get the mojo going for the whole team,” Tagovailoa said. “It was a good but difficult defeat today against a really good team. That not only detracts from what I’ve done, but also a lot of what other guys have accomplished individually.”

He added: “He felt like me. I prepared for five weeks as if I was going to play. … It felt normal coming out of there.”

The Dolphins went 1-3 without their signal caller as the offense averaged just 10 points per game during his four-game absence.

When it comes to Tagovailoa's return, the concern for many has been whether he can protect himself.

On a third-and-10 play in the third, Tagovailoa scrambled 13 yards and slid for the first down, much to the delight of the crowd.

“I thought it was super cool,” he said when asked about the audience’s reaction to the piece. “I think everyone would think that’s great.”

In the September game in which he suffered a concussion, Tagovailoa rushed for a first down and took a hit from Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.

The Cardinals improved to 4-4 on the season as quarterback Kyle Murray, tight end Trey McBride and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a banner day in the win.

Murray was 26-36 for 307 yards with two touchdowns. McBride caught nine passes for 124 yards, while Harrison had six receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Next Sunday, the Dolphins — who have fallen to 2-5 this season — face the Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

The Cardinals host the Chicago Bears.

This story has been updated with additional information.