Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said Thursday that he isn't ready to name a starting quarterback for Monday night's home game against the Tennessee Titans. Skylar Thompson is dealing with a rib injury that McDaniel said is "pretty painful," leaving Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle as the leading candidates to be Miami's QB1 this week. Huntley recently joined the Dolphins while Boyle is on the practice squad.
Boyle entered against the Seattle Seahawks last weekend after Thompson was injured but Huntley has more starting experience. Huntley has made 10 NFL starts, including one in the postseason, which could have McDaniel leaning toward Huntley. "I have in my mind what I think, how it could play out," McDaniel said Thursday.
"However, it's a little premature for a multitude of reasons. And the very last being the competitive advantage." The Dolphins just signed Huntley 10 days ago, shortly after starter Tua Tagovailoa was sidelined with his latest concussion.
But McDaniel said he can already sense the opportunity wouldn't overwhelm Huntley. "The game isn't too big for him. Very encouraged by his progression," he said.
"We targeted him for a reason." Even so, Huntley isn't fully up to speed with McDaniel's offense. McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier will be watching practice performances closely.
"I'm feeling much more knowledgeable about exactly where he's at over the course of the last half week and very, very encouraged," McDaniel said of Huntley. "Chris and his staff, in.