The Miami Dolphins have downgraded quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
The Miami Dolphins need to win out and get some help if they are going to make the playoffs this season. Winning on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns just became a little tougher as the team downgraded starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s status for the game. Originally listed as questionable with a hip injury on Friday’s injury report, Miami updated the Pro Bowl passer’s status on Saturday, moving him to doubtful for the game.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the downgrade, though he indicated Tagovailoa is still working to be available for the game. Pelissero wrote on X, “Tua wants to play and is still trying to. But it’s a significant injury in terms of impact of his mobility and strength.”
If Tagovailoa is unable to play, backup quarterback Tyler Huntley would start on Sunday. In a series of roster moves made on Saturday, the Dolphins elevated practice squad quarterback Skylar Thompson to the active roster, making him available for the game.
The Dolphins also elevated cornerback Nik Needham for the game. The team signed wide receiver Erik Ezukanma to the active roster, with cornerback Kendall Fuller placed on inured reserve to create the roster space. Fuller had been ruled out of the game with a knee injury.
Miami has three wide receivers, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Dee Eskridge on the injury report, with all three listed as questionable. Hill is dealing with a wrist injury that has bothered him for much of the year while Waddle and Eskridge both have knee issues. The move to bring Ezukanma to the active roster could be a sign the Dolphins are not expecting all three of the injured receivers to be available come game time.
Miami has played four quarterbacks this season, with Tagovailoa starting 11 games, Huntley three, and Thompson one. Tim Boyle appeared in two games, but did not start any of them. Tagovailoa has a league high 72.9 percent completion rate, throwing for 2,867 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions; the four starts he missed were due to a concussion that landed him on injured reserve during the middle of the season. Huntly has thrown for 377 yards on a 59.1 percent completion rate with one touchdown and one interception. Thompson has thrown for 187 yards on a 63.6 completion rate.
The Dolphins need to win on Sunday against the Browns, then again in Week 18 against the New York Jets, along with a combination of losses from the Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, and Indianapolis Colts to claim a third-straight appearance in the playoffs.
