Facing a must-win scenario to secure a playoff spot, the Miami Dolphins are preparing to take on the New York Jets without their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Head Coach Mike McDaniel announced on Friday that Tagovailoa's hip injury will likely keep him out of the crucial Sunday matchup.
With Tagovailoa sidelined for a second consecutive week, the Dolphins' postseason aspirations rest on the shoulders of backup quarterback Tyler Huntley. Huntley's performance in last week's victory against the Cleveland Browns, where he threw for 225 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on the ground, offers a glimmer of hope for Miami.
The Dolphins hold a 2-2 record in games started by Huntley this season. A win against the Jets, coupled with a Kansas City Chiefs victory over the Denver Broncos, would secure the Dolphins the seventh seed in the AFC, setting up a playoff clash against the Buffalo Bills. However, a Broncos upset over the Chiefs, who are reportedly resting their starters, would eliminate the Dolphins regardless of their result against the Jets.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his team's playoff chances, Tagovailoa expressed confidence in his availability for the postseason should the Dolphins qualify. "If everything goes as planned, I'll be ready to play next week. No doubt about it," Tagovailoa stated on Friday.
Tagovailoa's regular season concludes with a 72.9% completion rate, 2,867 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 11 games. His season has been marred by injury, including a concussion suffered against the Bills in Week 2 that sidelined him for an extended period. This year marks another season interrupted by injury for the young quarterback, with his only complete season coming last year.
