Analysis

The QB logged just 11 regular-season appearances in 2024, missing time due to a concussion he sustained in Week 2 and then a hip injury that forced him to sit out the final two games of the year. The 26-year-old had expressed optimism about his ability to play if the Dolphins had made the playoffs, but Tagovailoa will instead turn his attention toward returning to full health in time for OTAs. Grier offered optimism about Tagovailoa's ability to continue improving, Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald reports, but he also noted that the quarterback's injury history and difficulty staying in the lineup had negatively impacted Miami's ability to attain playoff success, per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Tagovailoa completed 291 of 399 pass attempts for 2,867 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2024, but his 2025 production could be impacted if disgruntled top wideout Tyreek Hill forces his way out of Miami.

Analysis

After being deemed limited at practice this past week, Tagovailoa was listed as doubtful for the contest, a designation that aligned with head coach Mike McDaniel having noted Friday that it was "unlikely" the QB would see any action Sunday. With Tagovailoa officially inactive for the second straight week, Tyler Huntley will draw another start for the Dolphins, who need a win (coupled with a Denver loss in Week 18) to qualify for the postseason. For his part, Tagovailoa has expressed confidence that he'll be available next week should the team make the playoffs, per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, indicating "if the cards play out the way they should and the way we know and think they can, I'm going to be available next week...no, ifs, ands or buts." That said, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network suggests that it's not a given Tagovailoa would be cleared by next weekend in such a scenario, considering the nature of the hip injury the signal-caller is contending with.

Analysis

Tyler Huntley is tracking toward making a second straight start Sunday in place of Tagovailoa, whom Rapoport relays is tending to a unique hip injury that has "affected the surrounding muscles and therefore his strength and mobility." The hip issue would leave Tagovailoa vulnerable to further injury if he tries to play through it, which may put him at risk of missing the start of the playoffs if the Dolphins secure a spot with a win over the Jets plus a Broncos loss to the Chiefs. Tagovailoa initially injured his hip in a Week 15 loss to the Texans, and the injury worsened the following week in the Dolphins' win over the 49ers.

Analysis

Tagovailoa's listing on the Dolphins' final Week 18 practice report isn't a surprise after coach Mike McDaniel told Travis Wingfield of the team's official site on Friday that it's "unlikely that Tua will see any action" Sunday. McDaniel also spoke of Tagovailoa's particular injury. "I wouldn't say it's a bruise, but it's kind of a unique muscle issue as a result of the hip," McDaniel relayed to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com. Assuming Tagovailoa is among Miami's list of inactives about 90 minutes before Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff, as expected, Tyler Huntley will earn a second start in a row.

Analysis

With that in mind, the Dolphins continue to prepare as though Tyler Huntley will start his second straight game at quarterback for the team. Per David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, McDaniel relayed that Tagovailoa's hip injury is a "unique muscle issue," not a bruise. In any case, Friday's injury report will reveal the Week 18 game status of Tagovailoa, who has been listed as limited at practice this week.

Analysis

Tagovailoa, who was inactive for this past weekend's 20-3 win over the Browns, also was limited during Wednesday's session. Per Louis-Jacques, coach Mike McDaniel noted Wednesday that the Dolphins were preparing as though Tyler Huntley would draw the start for Sunday's must-win game against the Jets, while leaving open the possibility that things could potentially change on that front if Tagovailoa's hip feels better by the end of the week. In any case, Friday's final injury report is destined to reveal the QB's Week 18 game status.

Analysis

McDaniel said that Tagovailoa will be a limited participant in practice Wednesday, and while a decision on the Dolphins' Week 18 starting quarterback isn't final, Huntley looks to be trending toward directing the Miami offense for a second straight game. The 8-8 Dolphins are one of the few teams around the league with something on the line in Week 18, as they need a win plus a Broncos loss to the Chiefs on Sunday in order to clinch their spot in the postseason.

Analysis

Tagovailoa missed Sunday's Week 17 win over the Browns due to a hip issue, and he appears to be in danger of sitting out Sunday's Week 18 battle against the Jets as well. McDaniel mentioned Monday that the team is in a "gray area" with Tagovailoa moving forward because the star QB's "body did not cooperate" leading up to the Week 17 contest. The Dolphins need a win against the Jets on Sunday in order to have a chance of making the postseason.

Analysis

Tyler Huntley kept Miami's faint playoff hopes afloat by putting on his best Tagovailoa impression against the Browns, completing 22 passes with only four incompletions and even showcasing his superior mobility with 52 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Dolphins can make the playoffs with a win over the Jets and a Broncos loss in Week 18, so Tagovailoa will be motivated to play if possible, but his hip injury would need to improve during the week for that option to be on the table from a medical standpoint.