The Miami Dolphins face lengthy odds to tug off a playoff upset in Buffalo in opposition to the Bills, but when they wish to give it their greatest shot, they’re going to want their beginning quarterback on the sector.
Tua Tagovailoa’s standing stays doubtful after he missed a second consecutive recreation in final Sunday’s win over the New York Jets, recovering from a concussion suffered Dec. 25 and persevering with via a five-step league protocol to return. He had not but returned to follow when the Dolphins final held drills on Friday and would first should get cleared via restricted classes earlier than going via full follow participation.
The Dolphins will not be counting him out for his or her first playoff recreation in six years, although.
Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned, as of Monday night, Tagovailoa was nonetheless not cleared for the stage in protocol the place he can follow. What the third-year quarterback has been as much as is cardio and cardiovascular train. McDaniel alluded to Tagovailoa sweating, implying he’s both in Phase 2 or early in Phase 3 of the 5 steps within the return-to-play protocol.
Aside from that, McDaniel was imprecise in his updates on the left-handed thrower’s progress, due principally to he himself sustaining a distance from docs’ work with Tagovailoa till he can return to the follow subject.
“I try to stay in my level of expertise because the primary concern is that we lean on medical professionals for these medical opinions,” McDaniel mentioned Monday, “and I don’t want to influence by over-asking or trying to micromanage what the process is. When he’s medically cleared to practice, he’ll practice. Until then, I’m not doing anything.”
McDaniel added Tagovailoa was in “good spirits through the weekend, and there is no setback or concern with regard to [Monday]. He’s feeling good.”
Backup Teddy Bridgewater, recovering from a dislocated pinky finger on his throwing hand, superior to the purpose of throwing late final week, however McDaniel opted to solely hold him energetic as an emergency choice for the Jets recreation and began third-string rookie Skylar Thompson, who had the follow reps all through final week. McDaniel famous “bumps and bruises” for Thompson popping out of the 11-6 playoff berth-clinching victory.
“We have a lot of question marks,” McDaniel mentioned in regards to the quarterback scenario following the win within the regular-season finale.
And with little readability on the quarterback scenario Monday, McDaniel is hoping to have higher readability Wednesday when the crew returns to drills. With gamers away from crew amenities Monday, Tuesday is one other off day.
Star receiver Tyreek Hill is hopeful to have his high quarterback with him at Buffalo.
“We definitely love Tua,” Hill mentioned after the Jets recreation. “The last time we played against the Bills, Tua put on a really good showing. Just to have him out there — another captain, another leader — would be great.”
Thompson went 20 of 31 for 152 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in his second profession begin, managing the sport with no expensive mistake. After the veteran Bridgewater obtained to the purpose the place he was shut late final week, he must be extra prone to go for this Sunday’s 1 p.m. wild-card matchup. McDaniel mentioned the crew might be getting ready recreation plans for all three quarterbacks early within the week.
“If Tua can’t go, I would expect it to be Teddy, who is good enough to give them a shot,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport advised the Pat McAfee Show, “but obviously, you want Tua out there if he is healthy. That is your guy, and that gives you the best/only chance to win.”
Miami certainly is a heavy underdog. The Bills are 10 1/2-point favorites, in keeping with Vegas Insider.
The Dolphins, in keeping with FiveThirtyEight, are deemed to have an 11 p.c likelihood to make the divisional spherical, 2 p.c likelihood to make the convention championship, 0.5 p.c likelihood to succeed in the Super Bowl and 0.2 p.c likelihood to win the Super Bowl.
Beyond the quarterbacks, Miami has plenty of different accidents to watch all through the week earlier than Sunday’s kickoff.
The availability of left sort out Terron Armstead, who missed the previous two video games between toe, pectoral, knee and hip accidents, is paramount for whoever finally ends up beginning behind middle.
Running again Raheem Mostert broke his thumb, as he didn’t return to the Jets recreation after exiting with 71 yards on 11 carries. Although he appears unlikely to play, McDaniel is just not counting him out in opposition to the Bills, as of Monday.
Along with Armstead on the left facet, proper sort out Brandon Shell left the win over the Jets with knee and ankle illnesses and didn’t return. Left guard Liam Eichenberg had an arm damage however was capable of return.
Hill and fellow receiver Jaylen Waddle additionally suffered ankle accidents in opposition to the Jets. Hill performed via his, however Waddle didn’t return after his damage got here late, on the sort out that went for a horse-collar penalty to arrange Jason Sanders’ profitable subject objective. McDaniel mentioned he could be stunned if Waddle can’t play at Buffalo.
Outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, working via hand and ankle illnesses, was restricted to 18 snaps in opposition to the Jets. Cornerback Xavien Howard, whereas enjoying via all 56 defensive snaps, is nursing a knee damage that induced him to overlook the earlier week’s loss to the New England Patriots.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com