MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins enter their final regular-season game with some unknowns, including their starting quarterback.
Coach Mike McDaniel said the Dolphins are in a “gray area” regarding Tua Tagovailoa after the quarterback suffered a scrape due to a hip injury before Sunday’s win over Cleveland.
McDaniel said Tagovailoa’s body didn’t respond as well as the team expected to the injury sustained in Week 15 against Houston, and he doesn’t know if the starter will be available for the rest of the season.
“Where does that leave us? We’re firmly in uncharted territory,” McDaniel said Monday. He added that it wouldn’t have been safe for Tagovailoa to play against Cleveland.
“It wasn’t safe at all,” McDaniel said. “Given his body being vulnerable and his inability to dodge or move around in the pocket, I would say leave him really vulnerable.” Shock and shock. It’s both about the ability to evade. ”
This is certain. If the Dolphins defeat the New York Jets on Sunday and Kansas City wins in Denver, Miami will advance to the playoffs after starting the season 2-6. However, the Chiefs’ victory will likely come without Patrick Mahomes and many other Kansas City starting pitchers expected to be rested.
Either way, McDaniel said the team’s focus is on the Jets.
“This is a very clear message to the team that we have been given the opportunity to execute,” he said. “When you dig yourself a hole that you have to climb out of during the season, and then you face the reality that you have to run a business and you need help, you quickly learn that the time you put into it is wasted. Aid does not benefit the desired goals.”
Tyler “Snoop” Huntley is scheduled to practice more than Tagovailoa this week, and McDaniel has a game plan in place for both eventualities.
Huntley gave McDaniel confidence in his ability to lead the team with a solid performance against Cleveland.
Huntley, making his fourth start of the season, completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, including one rushing touchdown and one throwing. It was the Dolphins’ best start to date since Tagovailoa was signed earlier this season when he was placed on injured reserve with a concussion.
“I feel good,” Huntley said after the game. “I actually feel more comfortable playing these. Yeah, a few weeks in the office definitely makes a difference.”
what is working
For the second time this season, Miami’s defense did not allow a touchdown and forced two turnovers. Tyrell Dodson filled in for injured Mike linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., and the Dolphins’ midseason pickup intercepted Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the second. In the third, Dashawn Hand recovered a fumble on a Thompson-Robinson strip sack. Miami also held Cleveland to no fourth downs on four tries.
things that need help
Unless the Dolphins clear the penalty, it’s hard to imagine repeating Sunday’s success against a team with three or more wins in Cleveland. Miami has been penalized heavily all season, and was flagged 11 times in this matchup, five of which were allowed on offense.
stock up
Huntly. He became the first Miami player since Jay Fiedler in 2003 to pass for at least 225 yards and a rushing TD, completing 80% of his passes without an interception. Huntley’s sense of security was evident to his teammates.
“Today’s game showed that he can throw the ball on time, he can read the defense, and he can also make plays with his feet,” Tyreek Hill said. “For him to be able to do all that and come into the locker room at halftime and talk to the entire offense and tell them to take it to another level, it shows growth and he’s here now. It shows what we’ve achieved for the first time. I’m really impressed with that.”
Out of stock
running backs. Devon Ashen, Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson all had carries, but Miami only gained 74 yards on 2.7 yards per carry. Huntley was the Dolphins’ leading rusher on Sunday, gaining 52 yards on seven attempts, including a rushing TD.
injury
LT Terron Armstead appeared to have relapsed from a knee injury he had been playing with all season, and was unable to get through the second quarter. McDaniel said Monday that Armstead would “see what he can do” to play, but said the team was preparing for rookie Patrick Paul to start. … WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) did not play due to the risk of re-aggravating his injury, but McDaniel said he is optimistic about his availability this week.
key number
.500 — The Dolphins improved to 8-8 with Sunday’s win and are over .500 for the first time since the season started 1-1.
next step
The Dolphins play in New York on Sunday, looking to dominate the Jets for the second straight season. They may be keeping an eye on the Chiefs, who play at Denver in the same 4:25 p.m. ET time slot.
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