Dolphins make four roster moves, as Tagovailoa is downgraded to doubtful
On a day the Dolphins stunned everybody by downgrading Tua Tagovailoa to doubtful for Sunday’s game at Cleveland, Miami also ended cornerback Kendall Fuller’s season because of a knee injury.
Tagovailoa had indicated on Thursday afternoon that his hip is feeling “good” and suggested he would continue to play through it.
But unless Tagovailoa was not being forthright, his situation apparently changed over the next 24 hours, to the point that he was listed as questionable at 4 p.m. Friday and downgraded to doubtful at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Tyler Huntley likely will start in Tagovailoa’s expected absence. Huntley told The Miami Herald on Friday that the Dolphins told his agent that they want to re-sign him for the 2025 season.
Also, Skylar Thompson was elevated from the practice squad to back up Huntley on Sunday at the Browns (4:05 p.m., CBS).
NFL Network reported Tagovailoa is trying to play, but it would be highly unusual for a player to play in a game after being downgraded from questionable to doubtful on a day before a game.
Tagovailoa sustained the injury against the Houston Texans, then re-injured it against the 49ers but finished both games. The injury is said to be affecting his mobility.
The injury is to the same hip that was surgically repaired at Alabama, but in a different spot, CBS’ Tracy Wolfson reported during the Dolphins-49ers game last Sunday.
If Tagovailoa misses Sunday’s game as expected, it would be the fifth game he has missed this season.
Fuller, who sustained a knee injury against the 49ers, was placed on injured reserve. His spot on the 53-man roster was filled by receiver Erik Ezukanma, who was needed because Jaylen Waddle and Dee Eskridge are listed as questionable because of knee injuries.
Besides elevating Thompson, the Dolphins also elevated Nik Needham, which gives the Dolphins a veteran safety to supplement Jevon Holland and Elijah Campbell in case Jordan Poyer is sidelined by knee and finger injuries.
This story was originally published December 28, 2024 at 1:54 PM.
