Despite a challenging outing on Monday night, the Miami Dolphins are resolutely backing Tyler Huntley as their starting quarterback for the upcoming matchup against the New England Patriots. The decision comes as the team continues to navigate a turbulent stretch without their primary signal-caller, Tua Tagovailoa, who remains on injured reserve after suffering a concussion in Week 2.
Tagovailoa, who is reportedly symptom-free, is ineligible to return until Week 8. This leaves Huntley with the heavy responsibility of steering the Dolphins’ offense out of its current slump. Since Tagovailoa’s injury during the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Miami has failed to secure a victory, highlighting the significant void left by their starting quarterback.
Huntley's latest performance was far from impeccable. In a 31-12 defeat to the Tennessee Titans, Huntley managed a mere 96 yards through the air, completing 14 of his 22 passing attempts. His subpar outing has raised concerns among fans and analysts, but the Dolphins' coaching staff remains committed to giving him the necessary time and reps to improve. "I just got to hone into being on time with them and get more reps on it. That's the only way we're going to build is if we get more reps," Huntley acknowledged, expressing a need for more practice and coordination with his teammates.
The upcoming game against the New England Patriots is crucial for both teams, with each looking to snap a string of three consecutive losses following their respective season-opening wins. The Patriots currently sit at 1-3, and their struggles on offense are evident, having scored just 15 points over their last two games. Their most recent contest resulted in a 30-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, further compounding their difficulties as they prepare to face Miami.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has voiced his support for Huntley while also acknowledging the palpable frustration within the team, especially among leaders like wide receiver Tyreek Hill. "I would expect (Hill) to be visibly upset at somebody. He's a leader, and he wanted to do everything that he could to make sure the result wasn't that," McDaniel remarked, underscoring the high expectations and competitive spirit that drive Hill and his teammates.
As the Dolphins brace for a pivotal clash with the Patriots, all eyes will be on Huntley to see if he can rise to the occasion and deliver a performance that could potentially turn the tide for Miami. The road ahead is daunting, but the unwavering support from the coaching staff and the determination of the players provide a glimmer of hope for the Dolphins’ faithful.