MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins are preparing for life without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after he suffered a concussion in a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday, but confidence in backup Skylar Thompson remains strong.
Head coach Mike McDaniel said at a press conference Friday that Thompson is ready to step in, calling him the “next man up.”
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“The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said. “There’s a reason he’s our backup quarterback.”
Dolphins offensive tackle Austin Jackson echoed that sentiment when speaking to the media on Friday.
“This team believes we can win with Skylar,” Jackson said. “He can, and he will.”
His first start came in Week 6 of 2022 against the Minnesota Vikings, where he completed 7 of 13 passes for 89 yards in a 24-16 loss. Thompson improved in Week 18 of that season, completing 64.5% of his passes for 152 yards in an 11-6 win over the New York Jets.
Thompson, who has three career NFL starts under his belt, went 1-2 in games during the 2022 season, including a playoff start against the Buffalo Bills. While the Dolphins lost that game 34-31, Thompson passed for 220 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, showing promise in a tight contest.
Thompson is now set to lead the Dolphins as they face another crucial stretch.
The Dolphins will have nine days to prepare for their first West Coast trip of the season when they face the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 22 at 4:05 p.m. ET.