Dolphin Dive: Tua Ruled Out

01/12/2023 Dolphin Dive: Tua Ruled Out

By: Jeff Yoder

QB Tua Tagovailoa Ruled Out For Dolphins-Bills AFC Wild Card Game With Concussion Concerns

The Dolphins-Bills AFC East rivalry clash in the opening weekend of the NFL playoffs won’t have the sizzle it could’ve had after Miami officially ruled out QB Tua Tagovailoa on Wednesday. Tagovailoa remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol where he was placed on Dec. 26. It was the second time Tua suffered a concussion during the 2022 season, and it leaves the Dolphins turning to rookie QB Skylar Thompson for Super Wild Card Weekend. The Dolphins and Bills split the regular-season matchups (1-1) with both games decided by three points or less.

 

The Dolphin Dive

Miami was a pleasant surprise early in the NFL season with an 8-3 start that included two win streaks of three and five games, but it’s been a Dolphin dive ever since. They lost five straight down the stretch before surviving in Week 18 to nab the AFC’s 7-seed. Their reward? Buffalo in January with a third-string quarterback.

 

Dolphin Quarterback Records (2022)

Tua Tagovailoa (8-5)

Teddy Bridgewater (0-2)

Skylar Thompson (1-1)

 

The Dolphins’ only win without Tagovailoa was an 11-6 barn-burner behind Thompson in Week 18. Buffalo, on the other hand, are winners of seven straight and riding the spirit of Damar Hamlin’s recovery. The Bills were 9-point favorites, but that will certainly grow before kickoff.

 

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: NFL Betting: Bills-Dolphins Line Moves After Tua Ruled Out

NBC Sports: Dolphins Rule Out Tua Tagovailoa for AFC Wild Card, Prepared to Start Skylar Thompson