The Dolphins are bracing for Tua Tagovailoa’s potentially extended absence.
Miami is signing former Pro Bowl quarterback Tyler Huntley off the Browns’ practice squad after Tagovailoa suffered his fourth diagnosed concussion last week, according to NFL Network.
Skylar Thompson is set to start Sunday’s road game against the Seahawks but Huntley could potentially work his way into the mix, per the report.
There is genuine uncertainty about whether the Dolphins will welcome back Tagovailoa this season — or ever again — after he suffered this third NFL concussion last Thursday against the Bills.
Some have called for him to retire, although Tagovailoa has no plans to do so, according to NFL Network. He has begun meeting with specialists regarding his future, the report added.
Until Tagovailoa can return, the Dolphins will attempt to stay afloat and, at least to start, Thompson will get the first crack with Huntley waiting in the wings.
The Dolphins have former Jets quarterback Tim Boyle on their practice squad, but any Jets fan knows that’s not a realistic option.
Huntley, 26, has only played in 20 games in his career and tallied just eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, but he showed during his time in Baltimore that he can run an offense.
The caveat, though, is that Huntley is a dual-threat quarterback and while with the Ravens, they could run a similar offense to the one they used for Lamar Jackson.
Tagovailoa is more of a traditional pocket passer and the Dolphins are designed to beat opponents with their star receivers and Mike McDaniel’s running scheme.
Huntley earned his Pro Bowl honor in 2022 while appearing in six games (four starts) and throwing two touchdowns and rushing for another.
He signed with the Browns this season before landing on their practice squad.
Whether Huntley starts likely depends on how Thompson fares the next few weeks.
The 2022 seventh-round pick has appeared in eight games in his career and tossed just one touchdown, but Miami trusted him enough to move on from ex-Jet Mike White this offseason.
Tua Tagovailoa concussion fallout
- Childhood friend gets emotional discussing Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion
- Former NFL stars call for Tagovailoa to retire
- Why fencing position has medical experts concerned
- Miami coach has ‘zero idea’ when QB will return
The Dolphins are (1-1) are 6.5-point underdogs at FanDuel against the undefeated Seahawks.
“Doing that over the entirety of the camp, I just thought what I saw in practice — I wasn’t surprised by what I saw in the game from Skylar. That was the culmination,” McDaniel said in late August. “But you find out a lot if you keep the competition open to the last game, there’s your last opportunity to and Skylar impressed us with his technique, fundamentals and decision-making. What I saw was a guy that came in during the second quarter and had and took absolutely full advantage of every opportunity.”
