Tony Dungy, appearing in West Palm Beach, says Tua Tagovailoa’s hip injury shouldn’t automatically frighten teams. He cites a player in his past whose injuries were more about bad luck than brittle bones.

WEST PALM BEACH — The Dolphins wouldn’t even be in the conversation to draft Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa if not for the fact he’s coming off hip surgery that raises concerns about his durability.

Tony Dungy, a Hall of Fame coach and NBC analyst, believes Tagovailoa is worth the risk.

“You have to really look and see about injuries,” Dungy said Thursday before an appearance at the Kravis Center as the featured guest at Palm Beach State College’s sold-out STEAM luncheon.

“I remember when I was coaching with the Vikings and Robert Smith was a very talented running back, had been hurt a couple of times and (coach) Denny Green said, ‘He could be injury prone or maybe it’s just bad luck. We’ve got to figure that out.’ ”

The Vikings did figure it out, but it took time.

Taken with the 21st overall pick by Minnesota in 1993, Smith endured ankle and knee injuries so debilitating that by the end of his fourth season, he had a total of just 16 starts — the equivalent of just one regular season. He had never rushed for more than 700 yards.

If Vikings fans at that point labeled Smith injury prone, their opinion soon shifted to simply bad luck.

Smith played four more seasons, all with the Vikings, appearing in at least 13 games each year and gaining more than 1,000 yards every time. In fact, Smith rushed for 1,521 yards and seven touchdowns his final season, 2000, and made the Pro Bowl for the second time in three years.

“He had a great career,” Dungy said. “Sometimes those injuries come and you don’t know what to do about it.

“But I know everybody that’s been around Tua has talked about his leadership, his work ethic, and I think he’s going to be a fine pro for somebody.”

hhabib@pbpost.com

@gunnerhal

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