The Miami Dolphins don’t know yet whether they will place Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve, coach Mike McDaniel said Monday, four days after the quarterback suffered a concussion in Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills.
Miami will add a quarterback in Tagovailoa’s absence. The team is signing former University of Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad, McDaniel said.
McDaniel told reporters that Huntley, who spent much of the preseason with the Cleveland Browns, will be expected to add depth to the quarterback room behind Skylar Thompson, who is expected to start Miami’s Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Liam Eichenberg (74) sits with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) as he lies on the field after a run on fourth down during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Tagovailoa suffered a concussion on the play. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami is still seeking further information about Tagovailoa, who sustained his third diagnosed concussion in three years in Thursday’s loss. Tagovailoa was quickly ruled out of the game and is in the league’s concussion protocol.
McDaniel said there’s no timetable for Tagovailoa’s return and on Monday told reporters there’s “not enough information” to decide whether the Dolphins would place the 26-year-old on IR, which would keep him out for at least four games.
“That’s going to be driven by medical experts and then when we get the appropriate information and discuss with Tua, then (general manager) Chris (Grier) and I can discuss that,” he said. “Not quite ready to make a distinction on that.”
McDaniel added that he would let “Tua speak on Tua’s career” when asked if the quarterback intended to continue playing.
“I’m just worried about the human being and where that’s at day to day,” McDaniel said. “I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career and speak on that.”
McDaniel said the move to bring in Huntley was not a reflection of the team’s belief in Thompson or backup Tim Boyle.
Huntley, 26, has spent much of his career as a backup to Ravens MVP Lamar Jackson. He has started nine games over four seasons, including one last year.