Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said at a news conference on Monday that quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will return to practice on Wednesday and that the team plans to play him in week eight against the Cardinals if all goes well in the coming days, but he said a The answer to whether Tagovailoa will wear a Guardian Cap has to come from the quarterback.

Tagovailoa got a chance to do that later on Monday. Dolphins running back De’Von Achane wore one against the Colts on Sunday in his return from a concussion, but Tagovailoa said he won’t do the same. Tagovailoa said “personal choice” when asked why he decided not to wear the extra protection.

Tagovailoa said he hasn’t experienced a single concussion since the day after suffering one in a week two game against the Bills and hasn’t had any conversations about retirement during his time on injured reserve. Although he showed no symptoms, Tagovailoa said he had no objection to remaining in casualty reserve because experts told him that “having a significant amount of time to rest and recover” was in his best interest.

Tagovailoa was also asked about those concerned that he is at risk of permanent problems from a brain injury. He said there is “a gray area” when it comes to what doctors believe in terms of the long-term effects of concussions and that playing football “is what makes me happy and I’m going to do it.”

“I appreciate your concern,” said Tagovailoa. “Really and truly. I like this game. And I love it to the death. That’s it.”

Tagovailoa will have to participate in practice before he can be fully cleared from the concussion protocol. It sounds like he expects that to happen this week and that the Dolphins will welcome him to an offense that hasn’t been productive since he was injured.