Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is well-acquainted with both Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and the quarterbacks who might play this Sunday at Lumen Field. Recently, the Dolphins placed their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, on injured reserve after he sustained another concussion during last Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Bills. As a result, the No. 5 overall pick from the 2020 NFL Draft will not be available to face the Seahawks in Week 3.
This development follows Miami’s decision to sign former Baltimore Ravens backup Tyler Huntley from their practice squad on Monday. Huntley will join current backup Skyler Thompson, who took over for Tagovailoa in the latter part of the game against the Bills.
Thompson managed to complete 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards and was sacked once during the Dolphins’ 31-10 defeat. This outing marked Thompson’s first appearance since his rookie playoff start against Buffalo in 2022, where he struggled, completing just 18 of 45 attempts for 220 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions, all while enduring four sacks in a narrow 34-31 loss.
Huntley’s recent experience against the Seahawks is noteworthy; he faced off against Macdonald’s Seahawks in the Browns’ final preseason game, almost leading a remarkable 14-point comeback in a 37-33 loss. Given that Huntley has more career starts (nine) compared to Thompson’s two, it’s feasible that he could take the field if Thompson falters. Despite McDaniel affirming that Thompson will run the offense in Tagovailoa’s absence, having a quarterback with experience against Seattle could offer strategic advantages, even if Huntley doesn’t play.
Huntley’s background, which includes a three-year stint in Baltimore and nine career starts with a 3-6 record, equips him with valuable insights that could aid in game planning against the Seahawks. His familiarity with Macdonald’s defensive schemes could enhance McDaniel’s preparations for the matchup. Although Thompson is expected to lead the offense, Huntley’s presence as a backup might prove to be a critical asset, whether he takes snaps or not.
Ultimately, the situation underscores the challenges the Dolphins face in Week 3 as they navigate the quarterback shuffle. With Tagovailoa out, the focus will be on how effectively Thompson can manage the offense and whether Huntley’s experience can contribute to the game plan, setting the stage for an intriguing battle against a formidable Seahawks team.