MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Tua Tagovailoa was seen with limited participation during Wednesday’s practice as he continues to recover from a right hip injury that kept him out of the lineup in Week 17.
During the open practice session for reporters, he mostly focused on stretching, jogging, and throwing the football a few yards to backup quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley.
Coach Mike McDaniel indicated that Huntley would receive a greater number of practice reps this week in preparation for a critical game against the New York Jets, essential for the Dolphins to keep their playoff hopes alive for the last AFC wild-card spot.
“Today, I’m approaching it as if Snoop is starting today,” McDaniel stated on Wednesday. “The team can easily adjust as the week progresses. However, it is important to approach it a certain way, and from there, transition into an easy adjustment, given our situation last week.”
To secure a playoff position, Miami needs to claim victory and hopes that the Broncos fall to the Chiefs, who have already secured the AFC’s top seed, with Carson Wentz set to start at quarterback.
“Our focus has firmly been on this upcoming match,” McDaniel remarked, highlighting his satisfaction with the team’s progress over the season. “This game presents another chance to show our best as we certainly have an opportunity to play in the playoffs. We understand what needs to be accomplished, and that chance only exists if we take care of business.”
Despite the injury, Tagovailoa has not been officially ruled out for Sunday’s game. He sustained the injury during a play while facing Houston on December 15, further aggravated it against San Francisco the following week, and while it is the same hip that required surgery during his college tenure at Alabama in 2019, McDaniel clarified that it is not the same injury.
Should Tagovailoa be unable to play, Huntley would take the reins for his second consecutive start and a total of five starts since joining the Dolphins after being signed off the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens, coinciding with Tagovailoa’s stint on injured reserve due to a concussion in September.
Last week, Huntley showcased his skills by completing 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, achieving one touchdown pass and another rushing touchdown in a victory over Cleveland.
Additionally, he brings valuable experience, having played against Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Huntley stepped in during a game in 2021 when Lamar Jackson was injured and nearly led the Ravens back from a 31-17 deficit against Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
“We lost by one point,” Huntley recounted on Wednesday, reflecting on the significance of that game. “At that time, I believe they had only lost four games that season. They were a strong team, and it turned out to be a pretty good game.”
His versatility also adds another dimension to Miami’s offensive strategy. He was the leading rusher for the Dolphins against the Browns, racking up 52 yards on seven carries.
McDaniel noted that Huntley quickly gained the confidence of his teammates. “Tremendous preparation went into the game against the Cleveland Browns. He should be confident in his skills, and he certainly is,” McDaniel mentioned. “It was evident to see how he took charge of the huddle just a couple of weeks into the season.
“There’s an ‘it factor’ with quarterbacks that enables them to motivate and instill belief in the team that they can achieve success with him at the helm. I believe he fits that criteria perfectly given the timing of his rise to play.”
In injury updates, the Dolphins have placed offensive lineman Kendall Lamm on injured reserve due to a back issue. Lamm was a key player, making seven starts as right tackle this season. Furthermore, Miami has signed tackle Braeden Daniels from the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys.
