Dolphins starting QB out on Sunday against Patriots
On Wednesday, the Miami Dolphins officially ruled out starting QB Tua Tagovailoa with a concussion. They face the Patriots in week 17. This is a significant development for a couple of reasons.
The Dolphins are now set to start veteran Teddy Bridgewater against the New England Patriots. Tua Tagovailoa was placed in the concussion protocol earlier in the week and has now been ruled out with that head injury.
This is the second bout of concussions for Tua this season, so on a more serious and humanely note, it might be smart for the Dolphins to shut him down for the reason of the year, as concussions are arguably the scariest injury in all of sports.
A second investigation into the handling of a Tua Tagovailoa injury is underway. The #Dolphins have not shut down their starter for the season, but their veteran backup is set for his first career start against the Patriots https://t.co/vXgVX7g9yQ
— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) December 28, 2022
The third year quarterback is an incredible human and player, and I think long-term considerations for his health and playing career should be made. Now, New England gets to face Teddy Bridgewater, who is about as good of a backup as you can get but nothing special beyond that.
Both the Dolphins and Patriots lost in week 16, bringing their respective records to 8-7 and 7-8. With a win on Sunday, New England would bring their record back to .500 and continue to send the Dolphins down the recent spiral they have been enduring.
What will Miami’s offense look like with Bridgewater under center?
Well, there’s a appropriate saying that many have attached to Teddy Bridgewater as a passer:
“If you need five yards, he’ll get you five. If you need 10 yards, he’ll get you five.” Like many other high quality backup/fringe starter types, Bridgewater plays it safe as a passer. He is not one to take shots down the field and does not put the ball in harms way that much.
This means we’ll probably see a ton of short and intermediate throws, which is more like what we see in a Shanahan-style offense. Expect the playmakers to be given the ball at or near the line of scrimmage and be asked to make a play from there.
New England’s pass rush might have trouble getting home because of this, but the Dolphins’ offensive game plan should look something like that.