Dolphins QB Skylar Thompson to begin wild-card recreation vs. Payments

MIAMI — Rookie Skylar Thompson will formally make his third profession begin for the Miami Dolphins throughout Sunday’s wild-card playoff recreation in opposition to the Buffalo Bills.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel confirmed the information throughout his information convention Friday, including that veteran Teddy Bridgewater had labored tirelessly to make himself accessible in a backup position come Sunday.

Starter Tua Tagovailoa stays within the concussion protocol after struggling his second concussion of the season within the recreation in opposition to the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 25. Bridgewater dislocated the pinkie finger on his throwing hand the next week, paving the way in which for Thompson to begin the workforce’s regular-season finale in opposition to the New York Jets previous to Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Payments.

“Clearly, it is a objective of mine to be a starter and be in some of these conditions,” Thompson mentioned. “You simply by no means know what that is going to appear to be precisely, and the way in which that issues have performed out this yr to the place I’ve had alternative to play just a little bit and have a chance like this this weekend, it is loopy.

“However I am very, very excited for it. That is what I’ve labored for for a really very long time. So it is time to soak it in, have enjoyable with it and do one of the best that I might help this workforce win.”

The Dolphins chosen Thompson within the seventh spherical of this yr’s draft out of Kansas State. He made six appearances in the course of the common season, greater than half of which coming as mid-game aid for an injured starter.

Miami and Buffalo break up their regular-season sequence, every profitable at dwelling. The Dolphins ran for 188 yards in opposition to the Payments in Week 15, however operating again Jeff Wilson Jr. says he would not suppose they essentially have to implement a run-heavy script simply due to their quarterback scenario.

“The way in which Skylar is creating and studying the performs and getting extra comfy taking part in the quarterback place in our offense, I really feel like we do not have to change all of these issues,” Wilson mentioned. “We simply should play good, complementary soccer … the run bought to assist the move, the move bought to assist the run, and that is how we win the sport.”

McDaniel didn’t replace the statuses for OT Terron Armstead or RB Raheem Mostert, neither of whom practiced Wednesday or Thursday. Their availability will possible come right down to a game-time choice.