NFL News: Tua Tagovailoa’s replacement sends clear message to Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel
With Tua Tagovailoa sidelined for at least four games, the Miami Dolphins are turning to a new quarterback to lead their offense. The replacement has made it clear to Mike McDaniel that he’s ready to fill Tua’s shoes.
The start of the 2024 NFL season has been tough for the Dolphins. After a victory in Week 1 against the Jaguars, Week 2 was a disaster. The team not only lost to the Bills but also saw Tua Tagovailoa suffer a serious concussion during the game.
Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve earlier this week, meaning he will miss at least the next four games. In his absence, the Dolphins will rely on a new starting quarterback to steer the team to success.
Tyler Huntley sends message to Mike McDaniel about replacing Tua Tagovailoa
The 2024 season has undergone significant changes for the Dolphins. Last week, Tua Tagovailoa experienced his third concussion in the NFL, leading the team to place him on IR to prevent further complications.
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NFL News: Dolphins make final decision about Tua Tagovailoa”s future
Reports indicate that Skylar Thompson will step in as the starting quarterback. Additionally, the Dolphins have added depth to their roster with Tyler Huntley returning to his home state.
Huntley, who entered the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted rookie with the Baltimore Ravens, has seen limited action due to Lamar Jackson’s presence but gained valuable experience in a dynamic offense.
Now, at 26 years old, Huntley is set to be Thompson’s backup and has conveyed a strong message to HC Mike McDaniel about what he brings to the offense: his athleticism.
Tyler Huntley #2 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to throw a pass in the first quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.
“There is so much speed on the outside, a couple of QB runs up the middle and stuff, get the defense to play honest,” he said. “There’s no way they could stick all of that speed at once.”
Huntley shared that he really likes the playbook of the Dolphins. “You got a lot of weapons out there,” the quarterback said. “You just got to go out there and play ball. . . . You get to throw to some weapons and then we’re going to score a lot of points. I’m ready to contribute.”
Who will start for the Dolphins after Tua Tagovailoa’s injury?
Due to Tua Tagovailoa’s injury, the Dolphins will need to rely on a new quarterback for at least the next four games. However, it’s still unclear who will step in to replace the former Alabama star.
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Dolphins News: HC Mike McDaniel provides major update on Tua Tagovailoa
At the moment, Skylar Thompson appears to be the frontrunner, as he’s more familiar with the team’s playbook. However, Tyler Huntley’s experience could play a crucial role in Mike McDaniel’s decision.
SurveyWho should replace Tua Tagovialoa at the Dolphins?
Who should replace Tua Tagovialoa at the Dolphins?
Fernando Franco is an accomplished writer and sports journalist specializing in soccer, NFL, MLB, and MMA. Since joining Bolavip US in 2022, he has significantly broadened his sports journalism repertoire, offering deep insights and coverage. Fernando’s writing career began in 2013, and over the years, he has made notable contributions to leading sports media outlets, including Sopitas.com, Diario AS USA, and Goal. His articles are well-regarded for their depth and analytical approach. Fernando earned his degree in Communication from the prestigious Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM), equipping him with a robust foundation in media studies.
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It only took the Dolphins 2 games to regret not re-signing key defensive stars
The Miami Dolphins got off to a slow start in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars but rallied to pull off an opening weekend win. However, in Week 2, they fell apart and proved to no one they are ready to challenge the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East.
Thursday Night Football has not been incredibly kind to the Dolphins, and this past primetime game proved Miami should stay out of the spotlight. If getting gut-punched by the Bills wasn’t enough, the Dolphins lost Tua Tagovailoa to another concussion. His time away from the team is not known.
What is known is that two weeks into the season, the Dolphins are already missing a few of their discarded veterans from 2023.
When general manager Chris Grier tossed more money to Tyreek Hill to keep him happy and made Jalen Ramsey the top-paid corner in the NFL again, that money could have been used to retain Christian Wilkins or one of the other high-priced veterans the Dolphins lost. Instead, Grier wanted to save the cap hits and gain what might be two compensatory third-round draft picks in 2025.
Wilkins played his first game with the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend and posted five tackles. In Miami, the Dolphins are getting better-than-expected play from Calais Campbell, but the duo of Wilkins and Zach Sieler in the middle of the defensive line is evident. Miami’s run defense is not looking good so far through two games, and you can’t help but wonder if letting Wilkins leave and breaking up one of the NFL’s best defensive line duos was smart.
It’s unclear if new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver had the choice to bring back Andrew Van Ginkel or told the team to let him hit free agency. What is clear is that the versatility on defense is missing without him on the team. Van Ginkel could line up outside as a linebacker, inside to support the run, and on the edge to get to the passer.
Van Ginkel isn’t a master of any singular position, but he is equally good at stopping the run, dropping into pass coverage, and rushing the passer. His value to the Minnesota Vikings has shown in only a week of play.
AVG has posted eight total tackles, two sacks, two passes defensed, and a pick-six in the opening two games.
The Dolphins are playing musical chairs again with an offensive line that is more of a concern to fans and media than the Dolphins. Grier’s complete disregard for the line problems is not going to help the team succeed with or without Tua Tagovailoa. While Miami’s run game against the Bills was good, it was horrible against the Jaguars.
Robert Jones has been OK, but he was injured on Thursday night against the Bills, and Lester Cotton stepped in. At the other guard position, Liam Eichenberg was his typical inconsistent self with better play against the Jaguars and poor play against the Bills.
Hunt’s entire career in Miami was consistently good and, up until last season, healthy. Availability is a key for offensive production. The Dolphins can’t get the same line to play together series to series, let alone week to week.
The Dolphins let DeShon Elliott leave in free agency. He didn’t sign right away with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Dolphins didn’t show much interest in bringing him back. He was consistent in Miami. With Jevon Holland missing time last year, Elliott was able to pick up some of the slack.
Miami opted to sign the aging veteran Jordan Poyer instead. Poyer spent the entire training camp sidelined with an injury and did more talking about how the Bills knew the Dolphins would fold against them, but when playing the Bills, he did nothing to get the team fired up to change that narrative.
Meanwhile, Elliott posted 13 tackles, two defended passes, and an interception in his first two weeks of play in Pittsburgh.