Who is starting at QB for the Dolphins against the Seahawks in Week 3?

The Miami Dolphins’ back-up quarterback, Skylar Thompson, is to make his first start since the 2022 season this weekend, as the Floridians visit the Seattle Seahawks without No. 1 signal caller Tua Tagovailoa.

What injury does Tagovailoa have?

Tagovailoa is recovering from the concussion he suffered in the Dolphins’ 31-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 - the third confirmed instance in which he has sustained such an injury in his four-year NFL career.

Tagovailoa has been placed on the Dolphins’ injured reserve list (IR), meaning he won’t return for Miami until at least their Week 8 match-up with the Arizona Cardinals on October 27. Under NFL rules, players must remain on the IR for a minimum of four games.

Who is Skylar Thompson?

Thompson, 27, is now in his third season with the Dolphins, having been drafted by the franchise as a seventh-round pick from the Kansas State Wildcats in 2022. Described by Miami head coach Mike McDaniel as a player who has “diligently worked behind the scenes”, the Missouri native has made nine appearances since joining the franchise, of which only three have been as a starter.

Each of his starts so far came in his maiden campaign with the franchise. In the regular season, he has a 1-1 record as a starter: he first featured in the line-up in a 24-16 Week 6 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings in October 2022, before making his second start in an 11-6 Week 18 win over the New York Jets three months later - a victory in which the Dolphins secured a playoff place for the first time in six years.

Thompson finished the 2022 regular season having thrown for 534 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in seven appearances, completing 60 of his 105 attempted passes. He then made his most recent start for the Dolphins on January 15, 2023: a 34-31 Wild Card defeat to the Buffalo Bills, in which he threw 18 from 45 for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

After failing to make a single appearance in 2023, Thompson returned to Dolphins action in the third quarter against the Bills 10 days ago, following Tagovailoa’s withdrawal. At Hard Rock Stadium, he threw eight from 14 for 80 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions.

Thompson confidence “real and earned” - Dolphins coach

Speaking to the media on Wednesday, McDaniel spoke of the team’s faith in Thompson’s ability to step into Tagovailoa’s shoes. “I would encourage anyone to press their ear to the locker room door if they could, because you find out a lot about your team, about how people feel about other people in moments like this,” McDaniel said.

“The confidence that the team has for Skylar is real and it’s earned, and it’s based upon thousands of hours that as a back-up quarterback most people don’t see.”

Miami Dolphins vs Seattle Seahawks: start time, how to watch on TV/online

The NFL Week 3 clash between the Dolphins and the Seahawks takes place today, Sunday September 22, 2024, at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET/1:05 p.m. PT, and viewers in the United States can watch the game on CBS.