The Miami Dolphins are grappling with a challenging quarterback situation as Tua Tagovailoa remains on injured reserve. As the team prepares for their next game, the spotlight is on Skylar Thompson, who is presently dealing with a rib injury, leaving his status day-to-day.
Head coach Mike McDaniel articulated the urgency of the situation, stating, "I think we have an important 48 hours to kind of see where he's at.” These hours will be crucial in assessing whether Thompson can recover in time to play. If Thompson is unable to suit up, the Dolphins will weigh their options between Tim Boyle and Tyler Huntley, both of whom are on the active roster.
Quarterback Depth Evaluation
Tim Boyle stepped up when Thompson exited Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks after sustaining his injury in the third quarter. Boyle managed to complete 7 of 13 passes for a total of 79 yards. Prior to his injury, Thompson had completed 13 of 19 passes, accumulating 107 yards. This development left McDaniel to reassess his quarterback options moving forward.
McDaniel acknowledged the significance of depth at the quarterback position under current circumstances. "That's important, to have depth at that position, which we're finding out in the absolute most difficult way," he remarked. Indeed, the Dolphins are now evaluating Tyler Huntley's readiness to possibly lead the offense if called upon.
A Cautious Approach
The decisions regarding who will take the helm are far from straightforward. "We have to get in front of the rest of the quarterback room and talk with them. We'll just have to take it a day at a time. There's a lot on the table," McDaniel said, emphasizing the daily assessments that have become necessary.
Reflecting on Boyle’s performance when called into action, McDaniel noted, "Tim obviously was the better option on that day." Nonetheless, the coach highlighted the difficulty for any newly integrated player to seamlessly lead the offense, "It was going to be difficult for a guy that's getting there on Tuesday to lead the offense."
Awaiting Conclusive Updates
The Dolphins are currently awaiting conclusive updates on Thompson's condition. Despite the adversities, McDaniel remains cautiously pragmatic about the ongoing nature of these decisions. “Those conversations will continue,” he assured, pointing to the dynamic and evolving evaluation process that the coaching staff must navigate.
In their strategic planning, the Dolphins have remained committed to avoiding reliance on practice squad elevations, underlining their confidence in the roster's existing depth. However, the final decisions will hinge on the evaluations conducted over the next critical 48 hours.
As the team readies itself for the forthcoming game, eyes will be on the Dolphins' coaching staff as they navigate these pivotal assessments, striving to stabilize their quarterback situation amid a series of unfortunate injuries. For Miami, the next two days will be fundamental in shaping their immediate future on the field.