There was a time when Mike McDaniel appeared to be on a path to join his longtime pals Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur among the best-regarded young offensive minds in the NFL. That time seems to have passed.

The Sun Sentinel’s Chris Perkins and David Furones discuss if head coach, and offensive play-caller, Mike McDaniel has a handle of Miami’s offense as clear problems have cropped up.

In four games without Tua Tagovailoa, the Miami Dolphins scored a grand total of 40 points. For perspective, the last team unable to average more than 10 points per game over the course of a season was the 1991 Indianapolis Colts, who fired their coach after five games and finished 1-15.

The Miami Dolphins have played without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa since Week 2. Here's the latest on his return from coach Mike McDaniel.

This game is a big referendum on McDaniel’s coaching chops. It’s not a final answer, but it’s a major midterm.

The Miami Dolphins are coming off their Week 6 bye and will face the Indianapolis Colts on the road this upcoming Sunday. When they do, they'll continue to roll out a backup quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa still on injured reserve after suffering his latest concussion. However, it appears the Dolphins could soon see their starter reenter the fray.

Mike McDaniel confirms Tagovailoa intends to return to the Dolphins this season. He has been on injured reserve since Sept. 12 when he suffered a concussion.