(Miami) The Miami Dolphins will hire another quarterback while Tua Tagovailoa recovers from his latest concussion, head coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.
For now, Skylar Thompson is considered the Dolphins’ starting quarterback in Tagovailoa’s absence.
“The team and the organization have real confidence in Skylar,” McDaniel said.
The coach added that the team has not yet made a decision on whether to place Tagovailoa on injured reserve. The quarterback was expected to report to the team’s facility Friday to begin the evaluation process.
“We have to continue to work into the unknown and be prepared for every situation,” McDaniel said, noting that only the opinions of Tagovailoa and the medical staff mattered in this matter.
McDaniel doesn’t see Tagovailoa starting the team’s next game against the Seahawks in Seattle on Sept. 22.
“I have no idea and I’m not going to make decisions when I’m not one of the important people in this one,” he said. “Nothing will happen without the expertise of the doctors and the player himself.”
Tagovailoa left Thursday’s game in the third quarter — a 31-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills — with his third diagnosed concussion of his career, all in the last 24 months.
At that point, the quarterback had completed 17 of 25 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, including one returned for a major. In relief, Thompson connected with his receivers eight times for 14 attempts for 80 yards.
Thompson said he believes he is “fully equipped” to lead the Dolphins’ offensive unit.
“What’s going to happen to us, who knows, but I’m confident,” Thompson said after Thursday’s game. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever comes my way. I’m going to prepare, work hard and do everything I can to lead this team and do my job.”