The Miami Dolphins have decided to stay the course with Tyler Huntley as their starting quarterback for their upcoming clash with the New England Patriots. Despite Huntley’s struggles in a disheartening Monday night defeat, the team is hopeful he can find his rhythm in the critical AFC East matchup.
Injuries and Setbacks
Huntley has been thrust into the starting role following the injury to Tua Tagovailoa, who is on injured reserve due to a concussion sustained in Week 2. While Tagovailoa is reportedly symptom-free, league rules dictate he cannot return until Week 8, leaving Huntley at the helm for at least two more games.
Since Tagovailoa’s injury, the Dolphins have been in a tailspin, unable to secure a victory. Their latest loss, a 31-12 thrashing by the Tennessee Titans, highlighted the team's offensive woes. Huntley’s performance was underwhelming, managing just 96 passing yards on 14 of 22 attempts, numbers that did little to inspire confidence in the team’s fanbase or coaching staff.
A Challenging Slide
Both the Dolphins and the Patriots are struggling, each on a three-game losing streak following promising season-opening wins. The Patriots, now 1-3, have their own offensive struggles, scoring a mere 15 points over their last two games. They are reeling from a 30-12 defeat at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers, adding pressure to their upcoming encounter with Miami.
Quarterback Support and Challenges
Understanding the difficulties his team faces, Huntley is focused on improving. "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," he said as he looked ahead to more practice and preparation.
Head coach Mike McDaniel has shown a measured reaction in the face of adversity. After the game, he discussed wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s visible frustration on the sidelines. "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 explained, underlining the passion and commitment within the team despite the recent setbacks.
Looming Matchup
As the Dolphins prepare to take on the Patriots, there’s a clear understanding that improvements are needed across the board. Both teams find themselves in a precarious position early in the season, making the upcoming game crucial for gaining momentum. With Tagovailoa’s return still weeks away, the Dolphins are depending on Huntley to step up and deliver a performance that can halt their losing streak and reignite their season.