Dolphins vs. Patriots live updates: Quinn Ewers throws third touchdown pass
The Miami Dolphins (7-9) will take on the AFC East division leaders in the New England Patriots (13-3) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday.
Keep it locked here for all your pregame updates.
The Dolphins start the game with a 14-0 deficit because of a leaky defense, but Miami rallied back early in the second quarter when Malik Washington caught a wide open touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers, concluding a 10-play, 65 yard drive..
Ewers’ first two touchdowns as Miami’s starting quarterback came in the rookie’s second NFL start, where he completed touchdown passes to Theo Wease Jr., and tight end Greg Dulcich.
MALIK WASHINGTON’S SIDELINED
Washington, the Dolphins’ top slot receiver and return specialist, left the game left in the second quarter of Sunday’s contest because of a thumb injury he seemingly suffered at some point throughout the game.
CHUBB LOSES INCENTIVES
The 14-points the Patriots scored in the first quarter essentially guaranteed that Bradly Chubb wouldn’t achieve the nearly $5.2 million in incentives the pass rusher had in his contract, which was all contingent on Miami becoming a top 20 defense in scoring.
The Dolphins came into Sunday’s game trailing the Atlanta Falcons by three points, and the Falcons allowed New Orleans to score 17 points during Sunday’s 19-17 win over the Saints.
Chubb’s incentives were for sacks produced, and playing time.
INACTIVES
Miami Dolphins tailback Jaylen Wright will make his second NFL start in Sunday’s season finale against the New England Patriots.
Wright, the Dolphins’ 2024 fourth-round pick, gets the elevation because De’Von Achane was inactive for the season finale because of a shoulder injury he suffered in last week’s 20-17 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Also expected to play a prominent role Sunday against the Patriots is receiver rookie Theo Wease Jr., who will have his role elevated because Jaylen Waddle won’t play in Sunday’s game due to the rib injury he suffered last week against the Buccaneers, and tight end Greg Dulcich, who will likely replace Darren Waller, who was placed on injured reserve because of a groin injury earlier this week. Waddle, who is 90 yards shy of becoming 1,000 yard receiver for the fourth time in his five seasons, practiced on a limited basis this week, but the Dolphins seemingly didn’t like the way he looked, or didn’t want to take the risk of playing him in a meaningless game.
Starting right tackle Austin Jackson missed the season-finale because of a back injury that flared up this week. Pass rusher Chop Robinson, who suffered a concussion last week, is in the concussion protocol and wasn’t cleared to play on Sunday.
Minkah Fitzpatrick, who has been sidelined the past two weeks by a calf injury, missed his third straight game.
Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who is pushing to become the NFL’s leading tackler for the 2025 season, played against the Patriots despite a hamstring injury he suffered in last week’s win over the Buccaneers.
WADDLE, ACHANE NOT EXPECTED TO SUIT UP:
The Dolphins will be without two key cogs of their offense against the Patriots.
Running back De’Von Achane (shoulder) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs) won’t play Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Achane, who leads the team in rushing and catches, earned his first Pro Bowl in 2025 as the driving force of the Dolphins’ offense. Waddle, meanwhile, has stepped up greatly following the Week 4 loss of Tyreek Hill as his 910 receiving yards leads the team.
With both players out, expect Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon II to handle most of the load rushing while Malik Washington and Greg Dulcich will have to step up from a pass-catching standpoint.
PREGAME READING:
- Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s Dolphins-Patriots game
- Why the Dolphins want to ‘set the tone’ for future matchups vs. Patriots in finale
- Dolphins make two personnel moves on eve of finale. And other news
- Kelly: Jordyn Brooks is on the verge of redefining himself, his NFL career | Opinion
- ‘A positive.’ Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Troy Aikman joining GM search
This story was originally published January 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
