The Miami Dolphins are facing another round of uncertainty at the quarterback position. Just a week after starter Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion, backup Skylar Thompson exited the game during the third quarter of Sunday’s 24-3 defeat against the Seattle Seahawks due to a painful rib injury, as described by head coach Mike McDaniel.
Thompson’s last play involved a 5-yard pass to De’Von Achane with 9:46 remaining in the third quarter. However, he sustained a hard hit earlier in the game when Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson sacked him, contributing to Thompson taking five sacks in total during the match. He finished the game completing 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards before Tim Boyle took over at quarterback.
McDaniel noted the frustration Thompson felt as he tried to remain in the game despite the pain, indicating that they would evaluate Thompson’s condition the following day. After the hit from Dodson, Thompson appeared slow to get up and exhibited discomfort while leaving the field. He briefly returned but then remained on the ground for an extended period after the pass to Achane, before being helped directly to the locker room.
This injury came just over a week after Tagovailoa sustained his third concussion in two years during a loss to Buffalo. With Tagovailoa placed on injured reserve earlier this week, he will be unavailable for at least four games.
As for the upcoming home game against Tennessee next Monday night, McDaniel did not disclose the team’s plan if Thompson cannot play. Earlier in the week, the Dolphins signed Tyler Huntley from the Ravens’ practice squad, and he served as the third quarterback during Sunday’s game.
Despite the recent turmoil at quarterback, McDaniel expressed optimism that the well-regarded offense can recover. “I think consistency has to be found from the nucleus in the group,” he remarked, emphasizing the need for the players familiar with the offense to step up, while acknowledging that teams often adapt and succeed even when key players are injured.
In addition to the quarterback situation, the Dolphins faced two other significant injuries during the game, with left tackle Terron Armstead suffering an eye injury and cornerback Kendall Fuller exiting with a concussion. Fuller sustained his injury in the first quarter and was ruled out early in the second half, while Armstead’s injury was reported late in the second quarter, prompting Kendall Lamm to take over his position.
On the Seahawks’ side, defensive linemen Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams also sustained injuries in the first half, but coach Mike Macdonald did not provide updates on their conditions.