The Miami Dolphins are set to play the Cleveland Browns in a game that will ultimately decide if they remain in the playoff conversation. A win on Sunday will vastly improve their chances to make the postseason, but they will have to do so without their most important player.
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Inactives for #MIAvsCLE pic.twitter.com/Jb9tunK0CO
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 29, 2024
Star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has officially been ruled out due to a hip injury he has been dealing with. Tagovailoa has been limited all week and the Dolphins surprisingly hit him with a “doubtful” injury designation on Saturday. Now, the team has chosen to sit their starting quarterback.
Tagovailoa’s hip injury was apparently aggravated during practice, leading to caution from the Dolphins. Instead of allowing him to suit up and potentially make the injury worse, they are choosing to sit their starter. This makes sense considering the team could find their way into the playoffs.
The Dolphins have a small at the postseason, but they still have a shot. They would need to beat the Browns on Sunday and also beat the New York Jets in Week 18. The Broncos would also need to lose their Week 18 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
That will be harder to accomplish, as the Chiefs are expected to rest most of their starters. Also, the Indianapolis Colts will need to lose one of their final two games.
Tyler “Snoop” Huntley is set to start in Tagovailoa’s place. This will be his fourth start. Huntley was signed when Tagovailoa was hurt along with Skylar Thompson suffering a ribs injury that also kept him out of action.
The Dolphins need a win on Sunday, and losing Tagovailoa is going to severely impact their chances. When Thompson and Huntley took over offensive duties, neither could get much going on that side of the ball.
Miami has had an up-and-down season and currently has a 7-8 record. Their once-great offense in 2023 has not been mimicked in 2024. Both star receivers Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill have both not eclipsed 1,000 yards this season, and are unlikely to — barring having back-to-back 200-yard games.
The Dolphins losing Tagovailoa for an important playoff decider is indicative of this season as a whole. Tagovailoa was on IR following another concussion in his professional career. During that time, Miami could not find a way to win games.
With their backs against the wall, they will now enter Sunday with the hope that Huntley can get things going against the Browns.
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