Dolphins rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson will begin Sunday’s regular-season finale in opposition to the New York Jets and veteran Teddy Bridgewater will function backup, if attainable, coach Mike McDaniel mentioned Friday.
Thompson, the seventh-round decide from Kansas State, mentioned he doesn’t have to do something out of character for the Dolphins to win. If the Dolphins win and Buffalo beats New England, the Dolphins are within the playoffs for the primary time since 2016.
“You know, like, that’s one thing I’ve been telling myself all week is I don’t have to be be a hero,” he mentioned. “I’ve just got to be Skylar Thompson and that’s what I’m excited to go do is to go out there, smile, have fun, and play the game that I love.”
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has been dominated out and hasn’t practiced as he’s nonetheless in concussion protocol, McDaniel mentioned.
Recently-signed quarterback Mike Glennon is likely to be out there to function a backup or No. 3 quarterback on Sunday. Glennon must be elevated from the follow squad.
It’s unclear whether or not the Dolphins would maintain each Bridgewater, who’s recovering from a dislocated little finger on his proper (throwing) hand, and Glennon on the lively game-day roster with Thompson because the starter.
For the season, Thompson is 40 of 74 (54.1%) for 382 yards, one landing, three interceptions and a 56.2 passer ranking.
“For me to get this opportunity, [and] seeing my guys Tua, Teddy deal with some injury, for me to get this opportunity, that’s never how you want to draw it up, how it happened,” Thompson mentioned. “But unfortunately that’s how things have been shaped this year and I’ve got a great opportunity here, something I’ve always worked for and dreamed for my whole life, and put a lot of time in this game to get to this point, and to see it kind of play out this way is very exciting.”
Armstead to be a game-day choice
Pro Bowl left sort out Terron Armstead (toe/hip/knee/pectoral) is listed as uncertain on Friday’s damage report and McDaniel mentioned he’ll be a game-day choice. Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard (knee) and edge-rusher Bradley Chubb (hand/ankle) are listed as questionable, however McDaniel mentioned he’s optimistic they’ll play.
Wide receiver/punt returner Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip) is uncertain, opening the door for an additional punt returner comparable to extensive receiver Tyreek Hill. Offensive sort out Kendall Lamm (ankle) can be listed as uncertain.
Bridgewater (knee/finger), fullback Alec Ingold (thumb) and security Eric Rowe (quad) are listed as questionable.
The Jets will begin veteran quarterback Joe Flacco as a result of Mike White, who attended University School, is sidelined with a rib damage.
Armstead absence hurts
The Dolphins are 1-3 in video games wherein Armstead misses resulting from damage or doesn’t end resulting from damage.
Armstead, a crew captain, one of many crew’s finest gamers and somebody who helps different offensive linemen in crew conferences in the course of the week, is in peril of not taking part in Sunday. But he’s contributing.
“We see Terron every day,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith mentioned. “He’s in every meeting. He’s always actively participating, making sure he communicates with the guys. Not having him out there obviously is always challenging, but we’re relying on the guys that are stepping up in his place or in his stead – play on words.”
With Lamm ailing, Armstead would doubtless get replaced by Greg Little if he can’t play. Armstead’s presence could be missed within the run sport in addition to move safety.
“Anytime you don’t have one of your better players in there, there’s going to be an effect on everything – run, protections, mentality, attitude,” working backs coach Eric Studesville mentioned. “He’s a captain of this team for a reason, so I think anytime that he’s out of there, something is missing.”
If the QB carousel spins once more…
Neither Thompson nor Bridgewater has began and completed a sport for the Dolphins this season, as accidents have interrupted their three begins. It’s a disruptive factor to alter quarterbacks mid-game resulting from damage, but when it occurs Sunday, the Dolphins assume they’ll be ready.
“It’s probably more challenging just the nature of they’re controlling cadences, they’re controlling rhythms of the ball being snapped,” Smith mentioned of inserting a unique quarterback throughout a sport.
“The communication in the huddle is a little different from all of them. So there’s little minor things that go that you’re just getting used to in the course of a game. But…we’re professionals — everyone, us coaches, players —and just trying to make sure that if there are in-game adjustments, if that’s with personnel, making sure that we do in our preparation trying to get guys enough work, timing, hours together.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com