What Tua Tagovailoa said at his Monday news conference, including what doctors said

As he prepares to return after missing four games following a concussion, Dolphins coach Tua Tagovailoa said Monday that he will bypass wearing a guardian cap that is thought to reduce the risk of concussions.

“Personal choice,” he said.

Guardian caps create an extra soft-shelled layer of padding over the traditional football helmet. They can absorb at least 10 percent of the force of a hit, according to NFL research.

Teammate De’Von Achane wore one on Sunday, but Tagovailoa has decided not to.

But Tagovailoa added: “I’ve got to be smart, stay more available for the team, my guys.”

What would Tagovailoa say to people who are concerned about his health after sustaining what was the fourth documented concussion of his life on Sept. 12 against Buffalo (and likely his fifth concussion overall)?

“I appreciate your concern,” he said. “I love this game and I love it to the death of me.”

Tagovailoa, who’s eligible to practice this week after four games on injured reserve, will practice beginning on Wednesday and play on Sunday against visiting Arizona (1 p.m., Fox) if he clears the final stages of concussion protocol.

Tagovailoa addressed other issues:

▪ Tagovailoa said he never had any symptoms since the Sept. 12 concussion. He says he recalls most everything about the hit and what happened after the game, except for a few “spotty” areas while he was leaving the field.

▪ He said there was not any discussion of retiring and he never received any advice to retire, at least advice that he considered.

“Had some conversations with my wife,” he said.

He said doctors told him he could continue his career and none advised him to retire.

▪ He said doctors did tell him the long-term risks of having a lot of concussions.

“There is a gray area when it comes to that, [regarding] if you know if you’re going to get longterm disease or are not. This [game] is what makes me happy. And I’m going to do it. That’s it.”

▪ Would Tagovailoa ever object a doctor’s recommendation for him to sit out for an extended period after any future concussion?

“It’s based off whatever that individual feels,” he said. “If you feel like you can go, [you can go]. This is only becoming a thing because of what happened two years ago [when he seemed to sustain two concussions in five days].

“We don’t look at hockey players and boxers the same way, that it’s becoming more of an issue here in the league.”

Multiple neurologists have told The Miami Herald that Tagovailoa would be advised to sit out an extended period after future concussions.

▪ Tagovailoa, on dealing with multiple concussions in his life, said: “I’m frustrated, but this is what it is. Do I want to be known for this? No I don’t. But this is the cards I’ve been dealt with.”

▪ He said: “I don’t put any pressure on myself to save the team.”

▪ Did the Dolphins make a mistake putting him on injured reserve, sidelining him for five games?

“What I know is the team did what is in best in the interests of me,” he said. “Given what the doctors have told me, having a substantial amount of time to rest and recover, they did what was best, protecting myself from myself.”

▪ He said he has been throwing for several weeks and has thrown passes to Odell Beckham Jr., among others.

▪ How much risk is he taking by continuing to play?

“How much risk do we take when we get up in the morning and drive to work? You can get in a car accident. There is risk.. in everything. Every time we all suit up, we’re all taking a risk we could potentially get hurt. I’m willing to play the odds. That’s it.”