The Dolphins’ quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, will remain the team’s starter, as confirmed by coach Mike McDaniel on Monday, despite the worst statistical two-game stretch of his career. Tagovailoa was replaced in Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns, giving way to rookie Quinn Ewers, although the change came with about 8 minutes left in the final quarter and with the Dolphins losing 31-6. He completed 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards and three interceptions, his second consecutive game with three interceptions. He is currently tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions this season, but McDaniel said the Dolphins (1-6) are not looking to make a change at this time.
He will take the snaps this week, and he is going to be the starter this week, and my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 interceptions.
Mike McDanielTagovailoa’s passer rating of 24.1 on Sunday was the lowest single-game total of his career. He said after the game that “he wasn’t proud of where I am with my game” this season and committed to reaching the level he has achieved in previous years; the process to do so began on Monday. McDaniel said that he and Tagovailoa watched the game tape from Sunday together on Monday morning, as they have done several times this season.While the Dolphins aren’t making any changes to the starter, the depth chart behind Tagovailoa is less clear. McDaniel said that Ewers was moved up to second on the list specifically for Sunday’s game, but not necessarily permanently. In his first official action in the NFL, Ewers completed 5 of 8 passes for 53 yards. McDaniel said he will compete with former No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson for the position behind Tagovailoa.In this case, I thought it was important that we watched the offense together. So, we watched the passing game together this morning and had direct communication about the ups and downs of the game and how we can both improve for each other. Because for me, when you go through a performance like that, I don’t see it all on one player or all on one coach. It’s a working relationship, and we both have to improve together because that’s not good enough.
Mike McDanielIn injury news, McDaniel said on Monday that tight end Darren Waller, who leads the team with four touchdown receptions, will likely miss this week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons due to a pectoral injury. A source reported that tests showed Waller has a pectoral strain that is not expected to require surgery and will be considered week-to-week.I hope it’s not a week-to-week thing. It’s going to be competitive this week, and at the end of the week I’ll let them know who the backup is and with the hope that someone grabs it and takes it.
Mike McDaniel
