Tua passes physical, will practice without limitations

Tua Tagovailoa is officially ready to battle for the Miami Dolphins' starting quarterback position.

Head coach Brian Flores announced Wednesday that the first-round rookie passed his physical and will practice without limitations once his team hits the field, according to ESPN's Cameron Wolfe.

Tagovailoa is working his way back from a hip injury suffered during his final season at Alabama. The lefty said he was "ready to go" last week after extensive rehab.

Flores noted he understands fans are eager to see Tua, but noted he's yet to play an NFL snap and has a ways to go before unseating veteran passer Ryan Fitzpatrick.

"People want to talk about Tua, I understand it," the head coach told reporters, per WPLG's Will Manso. "At the same time, as a young player - it's his first NFL training camp - I think he has to take it one day at a time and not think about what's realistic for the season."

Tagovailoa was considered a front-runner to go first overall before suffering his season-ending injury eight months ago. His recovery timetable was highly debated in the pre-draft process as he was unable to take a handful of team physicals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.