The Dolphins’ late-season collapse continued today, and the team is now facing even more uncertainty at the quarterback position. Veteran backup Teddy Bridgewater exited Miami’s loss to New England and was unable to return. 
The 30-year-old is believed to have suffered a broken finger in his throwing hand, as reported by Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper. The injury likely occurred on a throw in which Bridgewater’s hand hit a helmet while tossing an interception. His attempted tackle during the return from Patriots safety Kyle Dugger is suspected to be the cause, as head coach Mike McDaniel said after the game.
This marks the second straight time in which Bridgewater suffered an injury while starting for Miami this season. He played just one snap in Week 5 after being held out due to the NFL’s revised concussion protocols. His only other action in 2022 has come in relief appearances, and he has attempted only 79 passes this year. As was the case in October, seventh-round rookie Skylar Thompson finished the game under center for the Dolphins.
Of course, Bridgewater was in action because starter Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined with at least his second concussion of the season. The latter’s issues with head injuries has been a central storyline throughout the campaign, and played a significant role in the Dolphins’ ongoing struggles. Miami now sits at 8-8 with one week remaining and a Wild Card spot not the near-certainty it seemed to be until recently.
Tagovailoa’s status remains very much in question entering the final contest of the season. Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported before today’s game that the 24-year-old is not expected to suit up for Week 18, with any hypothetical playoff contest targeted as a return date. Alper’s colleague Mike Florio corroborates that timeline, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport adding that Tagovailoa is currently considered day-to-day (video link).
With Bridgewater unlikely to be available, attention will increasingly turn to whether or not Tagovailoa is cleared to return – and, given his injury issues this year, whether the Dolphins show the same urgency in bringing him back that they did in the fall. If he remains sidelined, Thompson will likely get the nod for Sunday’s crucial game against the Jets.
wow
Lol get mcwrecked
I love rooting against Miami.
But I feel terrible for Tua. Nice kid.
When did Marino retire 1999? Been a LONG time since the Fins had good to great QB play.
Fins certainly need to find a new backup next season. The Tua situation is very tough tho. Of course everyone feels bad for him…but Miami has a franchise to run. Is he still their unquestioned #1 moving forward? That’s a tough call to make. He misses 2+ games every time he gets hit too hard and now it seems he’s hiding these injuries when they happen, putting his health (and that of the team) in jeopardy. Fins seem to need to take a 1A approach at backup QB. Which is a tough way to run a franchise and salary cap.
If both Tua and Teddy can’t go and the Jets don’t make any changes to their 53-man roster, the Dolphins could sign Chris Streveler off the Jets’ practice squad since he’s out of promotion options. He’s mobile and exciting compared to the Jets other options but doesn’t have a strong arm. Personally, I hope the Jets put him on the roster and give him the start since this is like preseason for next year. He was their preseason superhero.
The phrase “preseason superhero” and the word “Jets” belong together. They just do.