Tua calls out teammates after loss for missing players-only meetings

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa called out his teammates when asked how the group can improve after Sunday's 29-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

"I think it starts with the leadership and helping articulate that for the guys," Tagovailoa said postgame. "And then what we're expecting out of the guys, right? We're expecting this. Are we getting that? Are we not getting that?

"We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late, guys not showing up to player-only meetings."

Miami is now 1-5 for only the fifth time in franchise history. The team failed to make the playoffs in each of the other four instances. Outside of their Week 1 defeat to the Indianapolis Colts, the Dolphins have either been tied or held a lead in the fourth quarter of every contest.

Tagovailoa led a go-ahead drive that was capped off by a Darren Waller touchdown with under one minute remaining versus Los Angeles. With the Dolphins leading 27-26, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert then hit Ladd McConkey for a 42-yard gain on the following possession, setting up a Cameron Dicker game-winning field goal.

Miami's defense has struggled through six games, allowing 29 points per game. Entering Week 6, the club ranked dead last in defensive success rate, according to Ben Baldwin's database.

With the loss, head coach Mike McDaniel falls to 3-15 against teams with a record above .500. He credited Tagovailoa for calling out his teammates after the loss.

"Player-led meetings are extra things outside of what I demand," McDaniel said. "It sounds like there was something on his (Tagovailoa's) mind in regard to the specific meetings with a couple of individuals that he was trying to get corrected with direct communication. I think that's the only way to lead."

He added: "Everything I've asked of the guys, they have delivered on. So, I'm sure whomever he's talking to, they'll deliver as well."

The Dolphins will face the Cleveland Browns in Week 7.