Posted on: January 3, 2023, 12:11h.
Final up to date on: January 3, 2023, 02:52h.
The Miami Dolphins are combating for an AFC wild card berth and may need a third-string quarterback within the remaining sport of the season. That’s as a result of backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a finger harm in Week 17.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Teddy Bridgewater drops again for a cross in opposition to the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. (Picture: Getty)
Bridgewater broke the pinkie finger on his throwing hand in a 23-21 loss in opposition to the New England Patriots. The harm occurred within the second half when Bridgewater tossed an interception, which led to a pick-six landing by the Patriots’ Kyle Dugger. Bridgewater’s proper hand struck the helmet of a Patriots defender whereas he did not deal with Dugger.
After the interception, Bridgewater headed to the medical tent on the sidelines and was evaluated for a hand harm.
Rookie Skylar Thompson changed Bridgewater and completed the sport for the Dolphins. Thompson and the Dolphins failed to tug off a comeback and misplaced by two factors.
X-rays and additional imaging on Monday revealed that Bridgewater broke the pinkie finger on his proper hand. He was initially identified with a dislocated finger.
I consider it was on making the deal with on the pick-six,” mentioned Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.
Bridgewater changed Tua Tagovaioloa because the beginning quarterback in Week 17. That’s after Tagovailoa entered the NFL’s concussion protocol. It was Tagovailoa’s second official concussion. He sustained an extra concussion that went undocumented in opposition to the Buffalo Payments in Week 3.
AFC Wild Card Scenario: Dolphins on Bubble
The Patriots improved to 8-8 after defeating the Dolphins in Week 17. The Dolphins misplaced 5 video games in a row and slipped to 8-8. With the victory, the Patriots moved into the #7 seed within the AFC and now maintain a tiebreaker over the Dolphins.
FiveThirtyEight projected that the Dolphins have a 42% likelihood to qualify for the postseason, whereas the Patriots have a 33% likelihood.
The Dolphins play the Jets (7-9) in Week 18, and oddsmakers presently set the road as a choose’em in a must-win sport for the Dolphins. The Patriots sq. off in opposition to the Buffalo Payments (12-3) in Week 18, and the Payments are a -7.5 favourite.
If the season ended at this time, the AFC playoffs bracket would come with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Buffalo Payments, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and the Patriots.
The Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans are all on the bubble, and all three groups are nonetheless in rivalry for a playoff spot.
Skylar Thompson Anticipated to Begin vs. Jets
The Dolphins are ready for the swelling to subside in Bridgewater’s pinkie finger to gauge his availability in Week 18. If Bridgewater can’t play, Thompson will begin the ultimate sport of the season.
The Dolphins’ postseason hopes may depend on a rookie. The Dolphins chosen Thompson out of Kansas State with a seventh-round choose within the 2022 NFL Draft. Thompson misplaced his solely sport as a starter for the Dolphins this season. He misplaced to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6 when each Tagovailoa and Bridgewater had been out with concussions.
Thompson accomplished 54.1% of his passes this season for 382 yards and one landing. He threw three interceptions and was sacked 5 occasions. Regardless of restricted motion, he has a QBR ranking of 35.1.
Tagovailoa won’t be out there in Week 18. He banged his head in a loss in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers on Christmas and entered concussion protocol final week.
Particularly as mandated, I haven’t had a dialogue with Tua about when he’s taking part in,” mentioned McDaniel. “As a result of no timeline has been mentioned with intent. It’s a day-to-day course of actually that, that’s most essential that we adhere to. And that’s simply getting him higher each day and getting him wholesome as an individual.”
Tagovailoa can be anticipated to overlook the postseason if the Dolphins safe an AFC wild card berth. The Dolphins haven’t formally mentioned Tagovailoa is finished for the season, however all indicators level towards the workforce shutting him down till subsequent season.
