Miami Dolphins Stick with Huntley Amid Quarterback Turmoil
Despite a lackluster performance on Monday night, the Miami Dolphins have decided to continue with Tyler Huntley as their starting quarterback for the upcoming game against the New England Patriots. This decision comes as Tua Tagovailoa remains sidelined on injured reserve due to a concussion he sustained in Week 2.
Tagovailoa, who is reportedly symptom-free, is not eligible to return until Week 8. His absence has been a significant blow to the Dolphins, who have yet to secure a victory since the quarterback's injury in their Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The team's struggles have been compounded by Huntley's difficulty in stepping up to fill Tagovailoa's shoes.
In Monday's 31-12 loss to the Tennessee Titans, Huntley's performance was far from impressive. He managed to throw for only 96 yards, completing 14 of his 22 passing attempts. Huntley’s subpar outing has raised concerns, but the Dolphins are placing their trust in him to turn things around.
"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 said, acknowledging the need for better synchronization and more practice with his teammates.
Both Miami and New England are in the midst of three-game losing streaks following their respective season-opening wins. The Patriots, who have also faced their share of struggles, currently sit at 1-3 and have managed to score a mere 15 points over their last two games. They are coming off a disheartening 30-12 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers.
As the Dolphins prepare for their clash against the Patriots, the spotlight will be on Huntley. Coach Mike McDaniel expressed confidence in Huntley’s ability to lead the offense, yet recognized the frustration felt by key players like 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, acknowledging Hill's leadership and determination to improve team performance.
The Dolphins’ recent offensive woes have been a point of concern. Huntley’s ability to effectively connect with his receivers and execute the game plan will be crucial to ending their losing streak.
For the Dolphins, overcoming the Patriots would not only mark a crucial win but also offer a much-needed confidence boost for both Huntley and the entire team. As the Dolphins continue to grapple with the absence of their starting quarterback, the coming weeks will test their resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.