Miami Dolphins

Dolphins bring in quarterback T.J. Yates to back up Matt Moore

Quarterback T.J. Yates signals to his players at the line of scrimmage in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16, 2015.
Quarterback T.J. Yates signals to his players at the line of scrimmage in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 16, 2015. AP

With Ryan Tannehill out for the forseeable future, they needed a veteran backup to Matt Moore.

They found one Tuesday in T.J. Yates. The Dolphins are signing the former Houston Texan, who has been out of the league since tearing his ACL last December. ESPN first reported the move.

Yates, 29, has been mostly a backup in his five-year career. He’s completed 58.1 percent of passes for 1,534 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions as a pro.

Yates has started seven games in his career, going 4-3.

The move signals the Dolphins are not comfortable making rookie Brandon Doughty their primary backup in the middle of a playoff run. Doughty has been on the Dolphins’ practice squad for most the season.

Tannehill is out at the least two weeks as he recovers from a sprained ACL and MCL suffered Sunday against the Cardinals.

▪ Defensive end Dion Jordan will remain on the Non-Football Injury list and will not be activated to the 53-man roster.

Adam H. Beasley: 305-376-3565, @AdamHBeasley

This story was originally published December 13, 2016 at 1:58 PM with the headline "Dolphins bring in quarterback T.J. Yates to back up Matt Moore."

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