With a playoff spot on the line, the Miami Dolphins will likely be without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters at his press conference on Friday that “Tua is unlikely to see action.”
Tagovailoa's absence for the second straight week with a hip injury means the Dolphins' playoff hopes rest in the hands of Tyler “Snoop” Huntley.
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa walks onto the field before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. (Jasen Vinlove-Image Images)
In the Dolphins' 20-3 win over the Cleveland Browns last week, Huntley completed 22-26 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown while rushing the ball seven times for 52 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
In the four games Huntley has started in relief of Tagovailoa, the Dolphins are 2-2.
If the Dolphins beat the Jets and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Denver Broncos, then the Dolphins will be the seventh seed in the AFC, with a matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the ball before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
If the Broncos beat the Chiefs, and as has been widely reported, the Chiefs are resting their starters, then the Broncos will advance regardless of the outcome of the Dolphins-Jets game.
However, if the Dolphins make the playoffs, Tagovailoa said he will play.
“If the cards go as they should, and as we know and believe they can, I will be available next week. “No ifs or buts allowed. I'll be playing. That's for sure,” Tagovailoa told reporters on Friday.
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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) photographed during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Since Tagovailoa is unlikely to play, his final regular season statistics conclude with him completing 72.9% of his passes for 2,867 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games.
Tagovailoa missed time early in the season after suffering a concussion against the Bills in Week 2 and did not play again until late October in a loss against the Arizona Cardinals.
Last year was the only time Tagovailoa started every game in a season, as he has missed time due to injuries in his five-year career.
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