Tag: Thompson

Jan 20, 2024; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley (2) warms up before a 2024 AFC divisional round game against the Houston Texans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Tyler Huntley could emerge as starter in Dolphins QB carousel

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Thursday that he isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback for Monday night’s home game against the Tennessee Titans.

Skylar Thompson is dealing with a rib injury that McDaniel said is “pretty painful,” leaving Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle as the leading candidates to be Miami’s QB1 this week.

Huntley recently joined the Dolphins while Boyle is on the practice squad. Boyle entered against the Seattle Seahawks last weekend after Thompson was injured but Huntley has more starting experience.

Huntley has made 10 NFL starts, including one in the postseason, which could have McDaniel leaning toward Huntley.

“I have in my mind what I think, how it could play out,” McDaniel said Thursday. “However, it’s a little premature for a multitude of reasons. And the very last being the competitive advantage.”

The Dolphins just signed Huntley 10 days ago, shortly after starter Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined with his latest concussion. But McDaniel said he can already sense the opportunity wouldn’t overwhelm Huntley.

“The game isn’t too big for him. Very encouraged by his progression,” he said. “We targeted him for a reason.”

Even so, Huntley isn’t fully up to speed with McDaniel’s offense. McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier will be watching practice performances closely.

“I’m feeling much more knowledgeable about exactly where he’s at over the course of the last half week and very, very encouraged,” McDaniel said of Huntley. “Chris and his staff, in conjunction with the coaching staff, we targeted him for a reason. And it’s a player that we’re very familiar with from the opponent’s standpoint.”

Huntley spent four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and made all his NFL starts while Lamar Jackson was sidelined with injuries. He went to training camp with the Cleveland Browns this year and was later released.

Dolphins defensive end Calais Campbell played with Huntley in Baltimore and is adamant the 26-year-old can handle the job.

“(Huntley) is a guy who is going to be very prepared,” Campbell said. “He can make every throw. I think he has good poise in the pocket and then he can create with his legs, which I think is something with the weapons we have at receiver and the way people have to guard us, when you can really make people pay with your legs, there’s going to be some opportunities there.”

Since a furious fourth-quarter rally to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, the Dolphins were outscored 55-13 in back-to-back losses to the Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks.

Miami hasn’t scored a touchdown in the past seven quarters and converted 1 of 12 third downs at Seattle. The Dolphins’ 205 yards total offense against the Seahawks is their lowest output since a 27-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 3, 2021. Miami had 203 total yards and 35 yards rushing in that game.

Thompson completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards and was sacked five times against Seattle before exiting. Boyle was 7 of 13 for 79 yards and sacked once.

McDaniel also said that left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller remain in concussion protocol.

–Field Level Media

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks off the field with training staff after an apparent injury during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Reports: Dolphins placing QB Tua Tagovailoa on IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who left last Thursday’s game with another concussion, is being placed on injured reserve by the Miami Dolphins, NFL Network and ESPN reported Tuesday.

He will be required to miss at least the next four games, per league rules. With the Dolphins having a bye in Week 6, the earliest Tagovailoa could return to game action would be the Oct. 27 matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

In anticipation of a prolonged absence for Tagovailoa, the Dolphins signed Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad Monday to back up Skylar Thompson at quarterback.

After the 26-year-old Tagovailoa suffered the third known concussion of his NFL career — which doesn’t count a concussion at Alabama and another suspected concussion in 2022 — there were calls, including from several former NFL players, for Tagovailoa to consider retiring. NFL Network reported Sunday that Tagovailoa has no plans to retire and had begun meeting with concussion specialists.

As expected, that wasn’t a topic Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel wanted to touch when he addressed reporters Monday.

“I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career and speak on that,” McDaniel said. It was unclear when Tagovailoa would speak to the media next.

McDaniel also was asked Monday if Tagovailoa was exhibiting symptoms.

“He’s downstairs, smiling with teammates, working with medical staff diligently,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing well today. He’s feeling good. But what does that mean in terms of medical diagnosis? I don’t base my judgments off my interactions with him as much as hearing the end result of the medical examination.”

Tagovailoa suffered the concussion during last Thursday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. He scrambled for a first down on a fourth-and-4 play in the red zone, but instead of sliding, he collided with Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, his head making contact with Hamlin’s arm.

Tagovailoa appeared to exhibit a fencing response, but rather than being carted off by ambulance, as he was during a similar sequence in 2022, he was able to leave the field under his own power.

Thompson, the only other quarterback on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, finished out Thursday’s game. McDaniel said Thompson would be Miami’s starter for Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, with Huntley signed to back him up.

“He’s game has developed since he’s had a starting opportunity in this league. His teammates can feel his development and growth,” McDaniel said of Thompson.

Thompson played in seven games, starting two, in 2022 and did not see the field in 2023. He has thrown for 614 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on a 57.1 completion percentage in his brief NFL career.

Huntley, 26, has started at least one game in each of the past three seasons for the Ravens, filling in for Lamar Jackson. In 20 career games (nine starts) since 2020, Huntley has amassed 1,957 passing yards, eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 64.6 completion percentage.

–Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel discusses Tua Tagovailoa's extension July 28, 2024

Dolphins going ‘day by day’ with Tua; Skylar Thompson to start Week 3

Posted on | by Field Level Media

As outside calls for Tua Tagovailoa to reconsider his NFL career grew over the weekend, the Miami Dolphins are taking the injured quarterback’s situation “day by day.”

In practice, that means the Dolphins are holding off on deciding whether Tagovailoa will be placed on injured reserve, as well as signing Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad to back up Skylar Thompson at quarterback.

Addressing reporters Monday, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said there is “not enough information” yet for he and general manager Chris Grier to decide whether Tagovailoa should go on IR, which would require he miss at least four weeks.

After the 26-year-old Tagovailoa suffered the third known concussion of his NFL career — which doesn’t count a concussion at Alabama and another suspected concussion in 2022 — there were calls, including from several former NFL players, for Tagovailoa to consider retiring. NFL Network reported Sunday that Tagovailoa has no plans to retire and has begun meeting with concussion specialists.

As expected, that wasn’t a topic McDaniel wanted to touch.

“I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career and speak on that,” McDaniel said. It was unclear when Tagovailoa would speak to the media next.

McDaniel was also asked if Tagovailoa is exhibiting symptoms.

“He’s downstairs, smiling with teammates, working with medical staff diligently,” McDaniel said. “He’s doing well today. He’s feeling good. But what does that mean in terms of medical diagnosis? I don’t base my judgments off my interactions with him as much as hearing the end result of the medical examination.”

Tagovailoa suffered the concussion during last Thursday’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. He scrambled for a first down on a fourth-and-4 play in the red zone, but instead of sliding, he collided with Buffalo safety Damar Hamlin, his head making contact with Hamlin’s arm.

Tagovailoa appeared to exhibit a fencing response, but rather than being carted off by ambulance, as he was during a similar sequence in 2022, he was able to leave the field under his own power.

Thompson, the only other quarterback on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster, finished out Thursday’s game. McDaniel said Thompson would be Miami’s starter for Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, with Huntley signed off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad to back him up.

“He’s game has developed since he’s had a starting opportunity in this league. his teammates can feel his development and growth,” McDaniel said.

Thompson played in seven games, starting two, in 2022 and did not see the field in 2023. He has thrown for 614 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions on a 57.1 completion percentage in his brief NFL career.

Huntley, 26, has started at least one game in each of the past three seasons for the Ravens, filling in for Lamar Jackson. In 20 career games (nine starts) since 2020, Huntley has amassed 1,957 passing yards, eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 64.6 completion percentage.

–Field Level Media

Aug 2, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) stretch during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

Dolphins ‘confident’ in Skylar Thompson as QB1

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Skylar Thompson will be the starter for the Miami Dolphins as Tua Tagovailoa deals with his latest concussion, coach Mike McDaniel said Friday.

The Dolphins plan to bring in another quarterback for depth following the injury sustained by Tagovailoa during their 31-10 home loss to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night. There are only two QBs on the current 53-man roster and none on the practice squad.

“The team and the organization are very confident in Skylar,” McDaniel said.

Tagovailoa exited in the third quarter after a collision with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. Thompson entered and completed 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions and one sack.

Thompson, 27, was a seventh-round pick by Miami in 2022 and was making his first appearance since a wild-card playoff loss at Buffalo on Jan. 15, 2023.

As a rookie in 2022, Thompson made two starts for an injured Tagovailoa and completed 57.1 percent of his pass attempts for 534 yards with one TD and three picks.

“What’s going to lie ahead, who knows, but man, I’m confident, though,” Thompson said after Thursday’s game. “I feel like I’m ready for whatever’s to come. I’m going to prepare and work hard and do everything I can to lead this team and do my job.”

Tagovailoa, 26, entered concussion protocol as the Dolphins (1-1) began preparations for their Week 3 game at Seattle on Sept. 22.

McDaniel said Friday it is too early to speculate on the availability of Tagovailoa, who suffered at least his third concussion as an NFL player when his head bounced off the turf.

“I have no idea and I’m not going to all of a sudden start making decisions that I don’t even see myself involved in the most important parts of,” McDaniel added. “All I’m telling Tua is everyone is counting on you to be a dad and be a dad this weekend. And then we’ll move from there. There won’t be any talk about where we’re going in that regard … none of that will happen without doctors’ expertise and the actual player.”

McDaniel said Tagovailoa will be evaluated Friday at the team facility.

“We just have to operate in the unknown and be prepared for every situation,” McDaniel said.

“The best thing I can do is not try to assess what this even means from a football standpoint,” he added.

Tagovailoa, who started all 17 games and led the NFL with 4,624 passing yards last season, was intercepted three times before leaving Thursday’s game.

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Mike White (14) drops back to pass against the Houston Texans in the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Fins name Mike White QB2 over Skylar Thompson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mike White will open the season as the backup to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Monday that White earned the QB2 role over Skylar Thompson.

The Dolphins take on the Chargers on Sunday in Los Angeles.

White, 28, signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Miami in March after two seasons with the New York Jets. He was 2-5 as a starter and completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,145 yards, with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Thompson, 26, appeared in seven games for the Dolphins in 2022 after being drafted in the seventh round. He was 1-1 as the starter while completing 57.1 percent of his passes for 534 yards, with one TD and three picks.

–Field Level Media

Florida Atlantic quarterback Casey Thompson (11) participates during practice at the Schmidt Family Complex, Thursday, August 3, 2023 in Boca Raton.

Transfer QB Casey Thompson to start for FAU

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Former Texas and Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson was pegged as the starter for FAU to open the season.

Thompson started 10 games for the Longhorns in 2021 and 10 for the Cornhuskers in 2022. He’ll be QB1 again in his sixth and final season of eligibility.

The Owls begin the 2023 season under former Texas head coach Tom Herman, who nabbed Thompson from the transfer portal on May 10, well after the completion of spring football practices.

A graduate transfer, Thompson considered Notre Dame and a return to Nebraska before committing to Herman, for whom Thompson played at Texas. He competed with Daniel Richardson for the right to start Sept. 2 when Monmouth visits FAU.

Thompson had a Big 12-best 24 TD passes for the Longhorns in 2021.

Herman said Monday that Thompson’s familiarity with the offense, though differently schematically than it was three years ago, eased his learning curve.

–Field Level Media

Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Casey Thompson (11) throws the ball during the NCAA football game against the Purdue Boilermakers, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. Purdue won 43-37. Purduenebraskafb101522 Am18494

QB Casey Thompson transferring to Florida Atlantic

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Texas and Nebraska quarterback Casey Thompson is transferring to Florida Atlantic for his final season, he confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.

Thompson also visited Auburn and drew interest from Notre Dame, Indiana and Houston before opting to join a familiar face with the Owls.

FAU is coached by Tom Herman, who was the head coach at Texas who successfully recruited Thompson in the Class of 2018.

Thompson played in 19 games (10 starts) with the Longhorns from 2018-21, passing for 2,422 yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

The 6-foot-1, 194-pound Thompson completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,407 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games with the Cornhuskers last season. He also rushed for five touchdowns.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas in May 2021 and his master’s degree at Nebraska in December 2022.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) takes the field during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers rework LB Shaq Thompson’s contract

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson signed a two-year contract to reduce his $24.5 million salary cap hit for 2023 and avoid being released.

Thompson’s deal was announced by the Panthers on Saturday, one day after reportedly acquiring the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft from the Chicago Bears. Carolina did not disclose terms of the deal. But the Panthers will unload wide receiver DJ Moore in that swap with the Bears, which also helped to reset their cap situation. Moore is owed over $20 million for each of the next three seasons.

Thompson, 28, was a first-round pick in 2015 and part of a fearsome linebacker corps along with Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.

Coming off of his fourth consecutive 100-tackle season, Thompson is set for a position switch. The Panthers are moving to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Ejiro Evero.

“Those are all questions that are above my pay grade, but if you talk about the player, that’s definitely a player I really admire, and I think he’s a heck of a player,” Evero said of Thompson’s fit in the 304. “Definitely would love to coach him. (He fits) very well. He’s an inside backer, a three-down player. He’s a guy that can play the run game. He’s good in zone coverage, can see the quarterback, can match running backs; he fits just right.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 9, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks with quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) between plays against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa out, rookie Skylar Thompson to start

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is out for the AFC wild-card game at Buffalo on Sunday.

Tagovailoa has not cleared concussion protocol and is prohibited from football activities. Head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Tagovailoa officially has been ruled out, and the Dolphins are preparing rookie Skylar Thompson to start against the Bills.

Tagovailoa is in the protocol for the third time this season after self-reporting symptoms following a Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. The Dolphins broke a five-game losing streak and won a wild-card spot with a 9-8 record by virtue of their 11-6 win over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Thompsonm a seventh-round pick in the 2022 draft, was 20 of 31 for 152 passing yards in Week 18, drawing the starting assignment over Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater was active last week but limited by an injury to the pinkie finger on his right hand.

Miami is fixed on the short-term, McDaniel said, which includes winning at Buffalo and getting Tagovailoa healthy. The first-year head coach didn’t want to discuss any long-term plans for the quarterback position, only saying the focus is on helping Tagovailoa “getting to full health as a human being.”

McDaniel said the Dolphins aren’t ruling out running back Raheem Mostert this week despite a broken thumb. Mostert leads the Dolphins with 891 rushing yards.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) drops back to pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

QB concerns aplenty, Dolphins add Mike Glennon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Mike Glennon joined the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad as the team deals with two ailing quarterbacks.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday that Tua Tagovailoa would not play Sunday and backup Teddy Bridgewater is not able to throw a football at the moment because of a dislocated right pinkie.

“I can’t forecast Teddy’s availability,” McDaniel said, running through the possible pecking order in practice, including Glennon. “We thought this was the best course.”

Bridgewater has swelling in his hand causing a diminished grip on the football, the aftereffects of the pinkie injury, and is limited to “ball handling drills” in Wednesday’s practice.

If his grip strength doesn’t improve, Glennon could be activated for Sunday’s pivotal game against the New York Jets.

Third-stringer Skylar Thompson is expected to draw the start if Bridgewater can’t go. But McDaniel said he will prepare all available quarterbacks for action this week.

Thompson replaced Bridgewater in last week’s loss to the New England Patriots.

Glennon, 33, last played in 2021, going 0-4 as the starter for the New York Giants. He’s 6-25 for his career as a starter in the NFL.

Glennon has thrown for 7,025 yards and 47 touchdowns against 35 interceptions in 40 games (31 starts) overall for six different teams.

Tagovailoa is in the protocol for the third time this season after self-reporting symptoms following a Week 16 loss to the Green Bay Packers. He missed Sunday’s setback to the New England Patriots, the team’s fifth straight loss.

The Dolphins need to beat the Jets on Sunday and hope the Buffalo Bills beat the Patriots in order to clinch the final spot in the AFC wild-card picture. Jets coach Robert Saleh, a close friend of McDaniel’s from their time together as assistant coaches with the 49ers, said he’s embracing the “spoiler role.”

“Would it be nice to have McDaniel hanging out with me poolside in a couple weeks? You’re damn right it would,” Saleh said Wednesday.

Prior to exiting the Patriots game, Bridgewater completed 12 of 19 passes for 161 yards with one touchdown and one interception. The journeyman started one other game earlier in the season, also against the Jets — and left in the first quarter with a head injury.

Thompson, a seventh-round pick out of Kansas State, started the game after that against Minnesota and has seen action in six games as a rookie. He has thrown for 382 yards, one touchdown and three picks.

–Field Level Media