The Miami Dolphins need a win against the Cleveland Browns to keep their playoff hopes alive, but they may just have to do so without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
While he entered the weekend listed as questionable, the Dolphins downgraded Tagovailoa to doubtful on the eve of their Week 17 showdown against the 3-12 Browns. This leaves a small crack open for Tagovailoa to still play, but the odds are now stacked against the Pro Bowl quarterback to take the field in Northeast Ohio with a nagging hip injury.
Here is everything there is to know about Tagovailoa and his hip injury:
Tua Tagovailoa injury update
The starting quarterback for the Dolphins came into the week listed as questionable. However, the Dolphins estimated that Tagovailoa would have been limited on Christmas Day (they didn’t actually practice), and he was limited on Thursday and Friday. Technically, Tagovailoa practiced all week for the Dolphins.
This is why it was a bombshell to see the Dolphins downgrade Tagovailoa to doubtful on Saturday.
How long will Tua Tagovailoa be out?
Much of the timeline on Tagovailoa’s recovery likely hangs in the balance of their Week 17 fate. With the Denver Broncos’ loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, their playoff chances are still alive, but they need to win out. So if the Dolphins cannot beat the Browns if Tagovailoa cannot go, then there would be no incentive to play him next week either.
The Dolphins could just let him take an early offseason if there is nothing to play for. However, if the Colts lose as well, starting Joe Flacco against the New York Giants with Anthony Richardson also hurt, then the door is still open for the Dolphins to earn a playoff spot in Week 18.
They close their season against the New York Jets next week.
Dolphins QB depth chart
With Tagovailoa listed as doubtful, the Dolphins will now likely turn to former Browns quarterback Tyler Huntley against his former team in Week 17. Huntley has started three games with a record of 1-2 and little success through the air this season in Miami after he was signed off of the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad.
The Dolphins also elevated Skylar Thompson from the practice squad in this game to potentially serve as Huntley’s backup. With their slim playoff shot on the line, this is less than an ideal situation for the Dolphins. Even against the Browns.
