Mike McDaniel reveals the latest on Dolphins QB debacle
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel cleared the air around his team's plans at quarterback ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the New York Jets. Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered his second concussion of the season in a Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Though reports indicate that Tagovailoa is likely to […]
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel cleared the air around his team's plans at quarterback ahead of a Week 18 matchup with the New York Jets.
Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered his second concussion of the season in a Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Though reports indicate that Tagovailoa is likely to push to play if the team makes the playoffs, McDaniel isn’t ready to roll him out against New York.
“With Tua, I haven’t even thought about playing status,” McDaniel told reporters on Monday. “It’s about him getting healthy each and every day, so I can’t even factor him into any sort of equation until we’re ready to broach that.”
And Then There Were Two
That leaves the Dolphins down to two signal callers, Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson. Unfortunately, Bridgewater suffered a dislocated pinky on his throwing hand in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots.
“You know there are a lot of variables that are going on,” McDaniel admitted. “For me, I’m preparing for both Skylar and Teddy. I think it’s too soon to know anything about Teddy.”
“At this point in the week, I’ll be preparing for both Skylar and Teddy and then proceed as the week progresses.”
It remains to be seen if Bridgewater can be an effective passer with a compromised pinky. There is no question that he gives the team its best chance to win so long as Tagovailoa remains sidelined.
Thompson has started one game in his rookie campaign, which resulted in a Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. His mobility does open up some options in the run game, but expecting him to execute the passing attack against one of the NFL’s most stingy defenses might be asking too much.
Bridgewater’s health will be a situation to monitor throughout the week. The Dolphins not only need a win to make the playoffs, but they are also relying upon the Buffalo Bills to down the Patriots in Week 18.
Featured image via Jasen Vinlove – USA TODAY Sports
