Head coach Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that the team has 48 hours to determine who would be their starting quarterback in Week 4 against the Tennessee Titans.
McDaniel said the Dolphins are open to adding outside help at the quarterback position while Tua Tagovailoa recovers from a concussion suffered in Week 2.
However, it appears the outside help isn’t likely to come via a trade.
Per ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins aren’t plotting to trade for a quarterback with Tagovailoa on injured reserve.
“A trade for a passer doesn’t seem likely at this point,” Fowler wrote. “A source said Miami is ‘not much into it at this time.’ Keep in mind, all signs are that Tagovailoa wants to play again this season, and he’s eligible as early as Week 7. Making a flashy move for a quarterback, potentially disrupting the loose timeline and plans of Tagovailoa and the team, comes with risk.”
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa
© Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
There’s also a risk of the now 1-2 Dolphins’ playoff chances being in jeopardy if the quarterback situation in Miami does not improve by the time Tagovailoa can return.
Backup quarterback Skylar Thompson looked ineffective on Sunday before suffering a rib injury in the Dolphins’ 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. His replacement, Tim Boyle, didn’t appear any better in mop-up duty.
By deciding not to be aggressive in the trade market, the Dolphins are foreshadowing a relatively quick return for their Pro Bowl signal-caller.
