The Miami Dolphins are facing a very uncertain few months, all of which seem to lead towards one of two inevitable outcomes — either draft a quarterback, as was originally the plan for Miami in 2020, or abort the decision for a season. That luxury is on the table thanks in large part to the strong play of quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick this season. But that decision may also be complicated by another matter — the health and prognosis of Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa entered the 2019 college football season as the consensus top quarterback prospect eligible for the 2020 NFL Draft and the reported apple of the Dolphins’ eye. But a dislocated hip has left Tagovailoa’s prognosis and forecast as a pro quarterback in question, and that dilemma won’t have more clarity until right around the NFL Combine, according to the quarterback himself.

“I don’t think any of the doctors can tell the future … from what (the doctors) saw in New York, everything looks good,” said Tagovailoa during his declaration announcement. “But you don’t really know until the three- or four-month mark.”

That three- or four-month mark? That’s right when the NFL Combine rolls around, followed by medial rechecks in April. Then, and only then, will the Dolphins gain clarity on exactly where Tagovailoa is in his recovery and what his likelihood of resuming his playing career uninterrupted looks like.

As such, expect the Dolphins to continue to dig through the other options. Utah State’s Jordan Love and Oregon’s Justin Herbert will both be at the 2020 Senior Bowl in two weeks — that’s a pivotal timeframe for the Dolphins to familiarize themselves more with the other options in the class before ultimately gauging how highly they covet all their options and, ultimately, making a choice.

The good news for Miami? Picking 5th, the Dolphins are in the driver’s seat to strike should they have the conviction to do so.