“I think Tua wishes it was just a pain issue,” McDaniel told reporters Friday before issuing a statement. “I wouldn’t say it’s a bruise, but it’s some kind of unique muscle problem that’s related to the hip.”

This unique muscle problem is a concern because Tagovailoa runs the risk of making the injury far worse if he plays before the swelling goes down and the torn muscle in the area heals. If it was just a pain issue, Tagovailoa made it clear he would play.

Tagovailoa first suffered the hip injury in Week 15 against the Texans, and the injury was aggravated the following week against the 49ers when he suffered contact in the same spot.

Tagovailoa promised reporters Friday that he would play next week if the Dolphins make the playoffs, declaring, “There are no ifs, ands, or buts. I’m going to play.’ But that’s not a sure thing if Miami moves forward.

Tagovailoa has played in 11 games this season, including one stint on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. When he has played, he has impressed with a 72.9 completion percentage and 19 touchdowns to seven interceptions, the highest of his career.

The missed games upset Tagovailoa.

“Obviously the concussions were one thing, and there were other injuries on top of that that led to the concussions and caused me to miss games,” Tagovailoa said Friday. “It’s frustrating. That’s something I need to think about this offseason, that’s something I need to talk to the coaches about, and basically it just falls to me to protect myself better and things I already know.”