Three weeks into the season, the Miami Dolphins are usually not the place they envisioned they’d be earlier than the 2024 marketing campaign began.
They’re 1-2 after consecutive losses to the Buffalo Payments and Seattle Seahawks. They’re coming off a Week 3 loss to Seattle through which they scored three factors. They’ve skilled injures to quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and now backup Skylar Huntley, who left Sunday’s 24-3 loss with a rib damage.
As of Tuesday, the Dolphins are no clearer on who will begin at quarterback in Week 4 in opposition to the Tennessee Titans Monday evening.
Head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the quarterback scenario at his Tuesday information convention and provided a number of situations that he mentioned the staff will work by in preparation for the Titans. He described the scenario as one in every of “assorted uncertainty.”
If wholesome, Thompson’s the highest possibility in opposition to Tennessee, however that is not clear two days after his damage. McDaniel mentioned that the staff would consider Thompson’s situation over the subsequent 48 hours.
“I’d say that Skylar’s extra everyday,” McDaniel mentioned.
If Thompson cannot go, that leaves the Dolphins right down to third-string quarterback Tim Doyle and Tyler Huntley, whom the Dolphins signed final Monday off the Baltimore Ravens’ apply squad after Tagovailoa’s damage.
Doyle completed Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks following Thompson’s damage. He accomplished 7 of 13 passes for 79 yards (6.1 yards per try) with out a landing or turnover after Thompson’s damage early within the third quarter. He took one sack, and the Dolphins didn’t rating whereas he was within the recreation.
Thompson did not fare significantly better earlier than his damage. He accomplished 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards with out a landing or turnover. He took 5 sacks for a lack of 37 yards and led the Dolphins offense to a single discipline aim.
McDaniel mentioned on Tuesday that he opted to play Doyle over Thompson on Sunday partly as a result of Huntley was new to the staff and the offense.
“It was going to be troublesome this previous week for a man getting there on Tuesday to really feel snug main the offense,” McDaniel mentioned. … “Tim was the higher possibility for that second on that day.”
McDaniel mentioned that beginning Huntley in opposition to the Titans is “a risk for positive.” That call will come right down to an analysis of a number of variables, together with Thompson’s well being and the way Boyle and Huntley carry out in apply.
“You’re in all probability gonna need to decide earlier than you’d like to simply give the gamers an opportunity to adequately carry out on Sunday,” McDaniel mentioned.
If Huntley finally earns the job, the Dolphins might want to incorporate changes to their offense.
“It’s a nice steadiness that’s not an actual science,” McDaniel continued. … “If we go that path, we’d in all probability introduce a pair issues
As for Tagovailoa, there is not any exact timeframe on his return after he suffered one other concussion in Week 2 in opposition to the Buffalo Payments. Tagovailoa’s suffered a number of head accidents since becoming a member of the Dolphins, along with his newest prompting renewed calls that he ought to take into account retiring to guard the well being of his mind.
Tagovailoa reportedly has no intention of retiring, however his return to the Dolphins lineup isn’t imminent. He is on injured reserve and can miss at a minimal the subsequent three Dolphins video games.
“He’s assembly with neurologists this week,” McDaniel mentioned of Tagovailoa. “The plan hasn’t modified, and it’s being executed.”
