Miami Dolphins Face QB Injury Challenge as Skylar Thompson Exits Game Against Seahawks
The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a familiar predicament as they deal with yet another quarterback injury. Just one week after starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion, backup Skylar Thompson was forced to exit the game midway through the third quarter of Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Thompson’s departure due to a painful rib injury has once again left the Dolphins with uncertainty at the most crucial position on the field, raising questions about their quarterback situation just three weeks into the season.
Thompson’s final play before exiting the game was a 5-yard pass to De’Von Achane with 9:46 left in the third quarter. However, his injury appeared to stem from a hard hit by Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson on the previous drive, resulting in one of the five sacks Thompson endured throughout the game. Despite his efforts to play through the pain, Thompson was eventually replaced by Tim Boyle at quarterback. Head coach Mike McDaniel acknowledged Thompson’s determination to stay in the game, stating, “Half the pain or half of the frustration for him, I think was, he was really trying to find a way to not come out of the game.”
Thompson’s resilience was evident as he struggled to get up following the hit from Dodson and was visibly hunched over as he made his way off the field. Although he briefly returned for the next series, Thompson eventually had to be helped off the field after completing the pass to Achane. He remained on his back for several minutes before finally sitting up and walking directly to the locker room, signaling the severity of his injury.
The timing of Thompson’s injury is particularly unfortunate for the Dolphins, coming just over a week after Tagovailoa’s concussion in the game against Buffalo. With Tagovailoa placed on injured reserve, the Dolphins are now left without their top two quarterbacks as they navigate through a challenging stretch of the season. McDaniel refrained from disclosing the team’s plan for the upcoming week, should Thompson be unable to play in Miami’s next game against the Tennessee Titans on Monday night. The Dolphins recently added Tyler Huntley from the Ravens’ practice squad, who served as the third quarterback during Sunday’s game.
Despite the setbacks at the quarterback position, McDaniel remains optimistic about the Dolphins’ ability to bounce back, emphasizing the need for consistency and resilience from the rest of the team. He highlighted the importance of the core group of players familiar with the offense stepping up and leading the team through the adversity. “The guys that truly know the offense have to really be on it and we have to just keep chopping wood and get better fast,” McDaniel stated, underscoring the need for a collective effort to overcome the challenges.
The injuries to Thompson and Tagovailoa are not the only setbacks the Dolphins faced during the game against the Seahawks. Left tackle Terron Armstead suffered an eye injury, while cornerback Kendall Fuller sustained a concussion in the first half. Fuller was evaluated and subsequently ruled out early in the second half, while Armstead’s injury prompted Kendall Lamm to step in as his replacement. The Dolphins’ depth was further tested as they navigated through multiple key injuries on both sides of the ball.
On the Seahawks’ side, injuries to defensive linemen Byron Murphy II and Leonard Williams added to the physical toll of the game. Seattle coach Mike Macdonald provided no updates on the extent of their injuries, leaving questions surrounding the status of the defensive line moving forward. The physicality of the game underscored the challenges faced by both teams as they grappled with injuries and setbacks throughout the matchup.
As the Dolphins regroup following a string of injuries and uncertainties at the quarterback position, the resilience and adaptability of the team will be put to the test in the coming weeks. With Tagovailoa and Thompson sidelined, the Dolphins will need to rely on their remaining players to step up and fill crucial roles on the field. As they prepare for their next game against the Titans, the Dolphins will look to rally together and overcome the obstacles that have plagued them early in the season. The road ahead may be challenging, but with a resilient mindset and a collective effort, the Dolphins aim to navigate through adversity and emerge stronger on the other side.
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