MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel voiced confidence in his team’s starting quarterback, Skylar Thompson, and provided an update Wednesday on Tua Tagovailoa’s recovery from a concussion he sustained during Thursday Night Football.
At Wednesday’s press conference, McDaniel affirmed that the organization is rallying around Thompson as the Dolphins prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
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“The confidence that the team has for Skylar is real and it’s earned,” McDaniel said. “It’s based on thousands of hours that as a backup quarterback, most people don’t see. I would say the team is very motivated to do their jobs. I don’t think it’s on anybody’s mind.”
Thompson’s 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.
He showed improvement in Week 18 of the same season, completing 64.5% of his passes for 152 yards in an 11-6 win over the New York Jets. With three career NFL starts, Thompson went 1-2 in games during the 2022 season, including a playoff start against the Buffalo Bills. Although the Dolphins lost that game 34-31, Thompson threw for 220 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, demonstrating potential in a close match.
As Thompson prepares for another critical stretch, McDaniel said he has seen significant growth since Thompson’s previous starts.
“There is a broader chest in the huddle,” McDaniel said. “You are seeing the same name on the jersey, but he is a different man.”
The latest on Tagovailoa
McDaniel did not rule out the possibility of Tagovailoa traveling with the team for Sunday’s game.
“He (Tagovailoa) is fully committed to the day and his team has involved him in any way the process allowed,” McDaniel said. Tagovailoa has been discussing “all sorts of formations and progressions” with his team while preparing for Seattle.
McDaniel did not provide details on whether Tagovailoa is experiencing any symptoms from the concussion he suffered against the Buffalo Bills during Wednesday’s press conference.
“This is something Chris (Grier) and I have to collaborate on,” McDaniel added. “You have to weigh all the information you have on that day and weigh all the different variables. The great thing about IR (Injured Reserve) is that there’s no timetable.
Miami also announced the addition of quarterback Tyler Huntley, who they signed from the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.
McDaniel did not confirm if Huntley will be activated for Sunday’s game but said Tim Boyle will backup Thompson.