Tua Tagovailoa Sidelined: Dolphins' QB Shifts Focus to Backup Role vs Buccaneers

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will not start in today's Week 17 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Instead, he has been designated as the team's emergency third-string quarterback. This move comes after Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel opted to start rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers over Tagovailoa in the Week 16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Following a 6-8 record and elimination from playoff contention, McDaniel decided to shake up the quarterback position. Tagovailoa's performance in the previous loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the Dolphins dropped to 6-8, raised concerns about his effectiveness. McDaniel acknowledged that the quarterback play was not good enough and left the door open for changes. In a move to bolster the team's chances, McDaniel chose Ewers as the starter for the Week 16 game against the Bengals. Zach Wilson serves as the backup quarterback, while Tagovailoa assumes the role of the emergency third-string quarterback. This decision indicates that McDaniel is prioritizing the team's chances of winning, particularly in the final three games of the season. The Dolphins have already been eliminated from playoff contention, and the focus now shifts to developing their young players and preparing for the upcoming season. Tagovailoa has expressed his understanding of the situation, stating that his role is to support the team and help the quarterback in charge. The Miami Dolphins' Week 17 inactives list includes Tua Tagovailoa, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' inactives list features Connor Bazelak, among others. The game is set to proceed with Ewers at the helm, as the Dolphins look to end the season on a positive note.