09/13/24 10:13:00
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09/13 10:11 CDT Dolphins will bring in another quarterback, while Tagovailoa
deals with concussion
Dolphins will bring in another quarterback, while Tagovailoa deals with
concussion
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) --- The Miami Dolphins will bring in another
quarterback while starter Tua Tagovailoa deals with his latest concussion, and
coach Mike McDaniel insisted Friday that the only thing that should matter to
him --- or anyone --- is Tagovailoa's health.
For the short term at least, Skylar Thompson will be considered the Dolphins'
starter while Tagovailoa is sidelined. Tagovailoa left Thursday night's 31-10
loss to Buffalo in the third quarter with the third known concussion of his NFL
career, all of them coming in the last 24 months.
"The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar," McDaniel said.
McDaniel said the team has not made any decision about whether to place
Tagovailoa on injured reserve. Tagovailoa was expected at the team facility
sometime Friday to start the process of being evaluated in earnest.
How long that process takes is one of the countless unknowns right now.
"The people that matter most, and their opinions, are Tua, the doctors and the
experts," McDaniel said.
There are a slew of veteran quarterbacks available for the Dolphins to
consider, including Jimmy Garoppolo and former Miami starter Ryan Tannehill.
The Dolphins have not revealed any players who are under consideration to bring
in, and McDaniel said it would be "so wrong" for him to even think about
weighing in on whether Tagovailoa should play again.
"I wish people would for a second hear what I'm saying, that bringing up his
future is not in the best interest of him," McDaniel said. "So, I'm going to
plead with everybody that does genuinely care --- that that should be the last
thing on your mind."
McDaniel added that he doesn't see Tagovailoa playing in Miami's next game at
Seattle on Sept. 22.
"I have no idea and I'm not going to all of a sudden start making decisions
that I don't even see myself involved in the most important parts of," McDaniel
added. "All I'm telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad and be a
dad this weekend. And then we'll move from there. There won't be any talk about
where we're going in that regard ... none of that will happen without doctors'
expertise and the actual player."
The Dolphins quarterback was hurt on a play where he collided into Bills
defensive back Damar Hamlin. Tagovailoa, who was rushing successfully for a
first down, initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead
of sliding as many quarterbacks do on a scramble.
Tagovailoa was 17 for 25 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and three
interceptions --- one of which was returned for a Buffalo score --- when he got
hurt. Thompson completed eight of 14 passes for 80 yards.
Thompson said he feels "fully equipped" to run the Dolphins' offense.
"What's going to lie ahead, who knows, but man, I'm confident, though,"
Thompson said after Thursday's game. "I feel like I'm ready for whatever's to
come. I'm going to prepare and work hard and do everything I can to lead this
team and do my job."
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