MIAMI GARDENS — Tua Tagovailoa wants to play — and probably will play — Saturday against the Washington Commanders.

On Tuesday, he explained why from his perspective. The list was long.

Then he explained why from the perspective of his receivers. That list was long.

Then he explained why because of the complexity of Mike McDaniel’s offense for the Miami Dolphins. And, well, you know the rest.

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There’s a backdrop to all this, and it’s that even when Tagovailoa gets on the field against the Commanders, it won’t be with the players he ought to be on the field with.

Receiver Jaylen Waddle missed his fifth straight practice Tuesday. Receiver Odell Beckham Jr. also didn’t practice, but since he hasn’t practiced this training camp, it’ll be news when he does get out there, not when he doesn’t. And center Aaron Brewer injured his hand a week ago, which not only forces guard Liam Eichenberg back to center it creates a domino effect on the line.

Let’s be real here. The NFL schedule still says the Dolphins won’t play a real game until Sept. 8. There’s still too much time before then for anyone to hit the panic button.

But that day will get here faster than anyone wants unless things change. We are, after all, talking about two of Tagovailoa’s top three receivers. And his starting center amid another summer in which the quarterback-center exchange hasn’t been the snap you’d expect on this level.

Tua Tagovailoa can't be out there playing traffic cop

In last week’s preseason opener, backup QBs Skylar Thompson and Mike White struggled to complete 12 of 32 passes. White came out of it feeling good about his performance simply because he had to play traffic cop amid so many new faces. Tagovailoa surely will have some familiar faces in the huddle Saturday, but he won’t have all of them.

So, what’s the big deal? Tagovailoa explains:

“It’s always good for any of us, whether you’re a vet or whether you’re new, to get some reps, get back into the pregame routine,” he began.

That’s just the basics. Tagovailoa has never played a down with Beckham or tight end Jonnu Smith, both of whom should have important roles in this offense. Tagovailoa has thrown some balls to Beckham, but only “spot catching,” Tagovailoa said. In other words, the next time Beckham runs a route and catches a pass from Tagovailoa in practice will be the first.

Tagovailoa was asked what gives him confidence Beckham can “hit the ground running.” See if his response doesn’t sound more like he’s searching for said confidence:

“Well, I tell you what, I think it's more confidence for him once he's able to start running and catching balls, and seeing it in that sense with guys across from him,” Tagovailoa said. “Then also, it's a whole other thing to do that. Then also, he has to know, OK, where to line up and then what that play is, if he has a motion or if he doesn't have a motion. So that's where I think will be one of the tougher parts.”

Tagovailoa: ‘It is tough' to pick up Mike McDaniel's offense

Tagovailoa wasn’t done.

“And it's not just for him,” he said. “It's for everyone. And anyone trying to get to know the playbook in this offense, it is tough.”

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The guy with the toughest job is the one earning the big bucks. The quarterback. Tagovailoa is a Pro Bowl quarterback. A fifth-year veteran. His mental checklist is even longer.

“Well, I think in order for me, at least, as a quarterback, to be able to create chemistry with someone, I've got to see how they run routes,” he said. “I've got to see how they are on their breaks. ‘OK, this guy, I can't really zip the ball, I've got to layer it a little because when he breaks out of his route, it's not as fast as it is with Tyreek (Hill) or Jaylen on his out routes. … And when with the footwork that we have for different breaking routes. … The timing. … Are they guys that like to turn their body to get in front of the ball or are they guys that love to run through the ball? … ”

That’s an awful lot of questions to be answered, an awful lot of variables. No doubt Tagovailoa, McDaniel and offensive coordinator Frank Smith wish they had answers to these questions by now. At least when they were sweating like mad Tuesday, it wasn't because of this. It was because Miami Gardens was a steam bath courtesy of a pre-practice shower.

So there’s still time. Which is more than we’ll be saying a week from now if things don’t change.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal.

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tua Tagovailoa running Dolphins offense without Waddle, Beckham, Brewer