The Miami Dolphins announced Tuesday that they have placed starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least the next four games, the first of which is against the Seattle Seahawks. The move comes after Tagovailoa suffered a horrific hit in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills that put him in the “fencing position” for the second time in his career. The third officially diagnosed concussion in the NFL has raised concerns about Tagovailoa’s long-term health, with some in the media and around the league urging Tagovailoa to retire from a medical standpoint. However, Tagovailoa has no plans to retire.
In a corresponding move, Miami also acquired Tyler Huntley from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad. However, this Sunday against Seattle, the Dolphins will start Skylar Thompson. Thompson was drafted by Miami in the seventh round in 2022 out of Kansas State and is in his third year in the NFL. Despite starting 2022 as the third quarterback, Thompson started three games for the Dolphins, one of which was in the postseason. Thompson was thrust into the starting lineup after primary backup Teddy Bridgewater went down with a concussion. However, Bridgewater started in place of Tagovailoa, who was sidelined in 2022 due to two concussions.
In two regular season starts (and other appearances as a backup), Thompson completed 60 of 105 passes for 534 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. In those two starts, Miami lost to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6 but won against the New York Jets in Week 18. Thompson then started in the Dolphins’ 2022 Wild Card game against the Bills. Against Buffalo, Thompson completed 18 of 45 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.
This will be the first time in two seasons that Thompson has played in a regular-season game outside of garbage time, and Week 3 against the Seahawks will show whether he has improved since his rookie year or whether he is still vulnerable to Mike McDonald’s improved defense.