Dolphins' Tua to be game-time decision vs. Bengals

Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Tua Tagovailoa's availability for Sunday's game.

"We’ll take it one day at a time and see how it progresses throughout the week," Flores said Thursday, according to Safid Dean of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "We’ll make a decision Sunday."

The rookie quarterback missed Week 12 due to a thumb injury on his throwing hand, resulting in Ryan Fitzpatrick starting again.

Fitzpatrick shined in his first start since Week 6, throwing for 257 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions during a 20-3 victory over the New York Jets.

However, Flores has made it clear Tagovailoa will be the team's starter if healthy. The second-year head coach says all of his decisions come with the club's best interest in mind, and the signal-caller's injury could affect his choice.

“I think there’s a lot that goes into that decision: What’s best for the player? What’s best for the team? What we need to do, what we need to be able to do to try to win a ball game. I think all those things are at the top of the priority list when thinking about who can play and who can’t, really at any position,” Flores said.

Tagovailoa has compiled a 3-1 record since being announced as Miami's starting quarterback during the team's bye week. He's protected the ball, throwing for six touchdowns with no interceptions, but Tagovailoa hasn't been aggressive downfield. The 22-year-old has exceeded 200 passing yards in just one of his four starts.

The Alabama product was listed as limited for Wednesday's practice, and athletic tape was reportedly wrapped around his thumb and wrist.