The Miami Dolphins are in a must-win situation in Week 18. The Dolphins need to beat the New York Jets to keep their playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, the Dolphins might have to do it without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Tua Tagovailoa Unlikely To Play Vs. Jets
Dolphins plan to start QB Snoop Huntley vs. Jets. Tua Tagovailoa “very unlikely” to play with hip injury, HC Mike McDaniel tells reporters.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 3, 2025
On Friday, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that the team plans to start quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley.
“We’ll approach it like Snoop’s starting,” McDaniel said. “It looks like the way that I approached the week (before) was probably smart. I see it as unlikely that Tua will see any action.”
Tagovailoa is dealing with a hip injury that kept him out of Week 17’s win against the Cleveland Browns. In Tagovailoa’s absence, Huntley completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. Snoop also led the Dolphins in rushing with 52 yards and one touchdown.
If Tagovailoa does not play against the Jets, it will be his sixth missed game of the season. Tagovailoa missed four straight games earlier this season after suffering a concussion against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.
Tagovailoa has thrown for 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 11 games this season. The fifth-year quarterback leads the league with an impressive 72.9 completion percentage.
If the Dolphins somehow qualify for the postseason, Tagovailoa made one thing clear: he will play in the wild-card round.
“I’mma be available next week,” Tagovailoa told reporters via David Furones. “There’s no ifs, and or buts.”
Tua, if the Dolphins make the playoffs; “I’mma be available next week. There’s no ifs, ands or buts.” https://t.co/gKR9njBgMS pic.twitter.com/IQMqs0pdZH
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) January 3, 2025
Dolphins Playoff Scenario
Tua said he will play in playoffs if Fins make it. Sitting out was medical decision, not his decision
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 3, 2025
The Dolphins do not control their own destiny this weekend.
The Denver Broncos (9-7) currently hold the seventh and final seed in the AFC. The Dolphins (8-8) are one game behind the Broncos.
First, the Dolphins must defeat the Jets on Sunday afternoon. Then, the Kansas City Chiefs must defeat the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs plan to rest multiple starters, giving the Broncos a significant competitive advantage.
The Jets (4-12) host the Dolphins on Jan. 5 at 4:25 p.m. ET.
