The Tennessee Titans won't be facing Miami Dolphins starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Week 4's Monday Night Football clash. Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve after suffering a scary-looking concussion injury in a Week 2 defeat versus the Buffalo Bills. The Dolphins could theoretically start three different quarterbacks against the Titans on Monday.
Third-year signal caller Skylar Thompson started Miami's 24-3 Week 3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Thompson was completely ineffective, completing 13-of-19 passing attempts for 107 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions before exiting the game with an injury of his own. He was sacked on five occasions and fumbled twice.
Thompson was replaced by veteran journeyman Tim Boyle, the only other in-game option on the Dolphins roster at that point. He was also unimpressive, going 7-of-13 for 79 yards. The Dolphins signed Tyler "Snoop" Huntley to their practice squad on September 16th, six days prior to Week 2. Huntley dressed as the emergency No. 3 quarterback as he continued learning Mike McDaniel's offense, meaning he was only eligible to enter the game had Boyle also gotten injured.
Unsurprisingly, McDaniel is being coy with Monday's starting quarterback. As of Thursday afternoon, Huntley is listed as Miami's second-string QB on the depth chart, behind Thompson, and in front of Boyle. Thompson continues progressing through his injury, but no public decision has been announced.
Despite three moving parts, the Dolphins possess one clear-cut answer at quarterback. Huntley is a significantly more proven and experienced quarterback than Thompson and Boyle are. And with approximately a fortnight to learn McDaniel's offense by the time Monday Night Football kicks off, Huntley is the obvious answer.
The Titans are wisely preparing for Huntley.
The Titans aren't falling for Miami's mind games
"We know that we're probably going to see Snoop most likely at quarterback," Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons told reporters on Wednesday. "I think we'll probably see Snoop, but we'll see."
Jeffery Simmons expects to see QB Tyler Huntley. #Titans. pic.twitter.com/x0s3rA2OOo
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 25, 2024
Huntley is a fifth-year undrafted quarterback that appeared in 20 career games (with nine starts) in relief of an injured Lamar Jackson with the Baltimore Ravens from 2020 to 2022. Huntley was consistently productive, all things considered, completing 64.6 percent of his passing attempts, with eight touchdowns, seven interceptions, and three additional rushing scores. He was even named to the 2022 Pro Bowl as an injury replacement.
Perhaps McDaniel will continue weighing his multiple options through the weekend. Huntley is clearly the most effective quarterback of the bunch. While McDaniel plays coy, the Titans are preparing to play versus Miami's best healthy quarterback, and that's probably the correct approach.