FOXBORO, Massachusetts (AP) — Skyler Thompson didn’t have much time to react after Miami Dolphins quarterback walked off with an injury.
“I got two throws in,” said the rookie. “It was quick, but it’s part of the job.”
Thompson, the backup QB, found himself there as the Dolphins lost their fifth straight game, 23-21 to New England on Sunday. Injuries continue to accumulate, as well as losses for Miami, which faces a playoff scenario or going home before the end of the regular season next week against rival New York.
“I expect the team to be hungry and well-meaning ready to play the Jets,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said. “It’s a one-game season to take all the lessons from his five-game losing streak and put something the locker room and coaching staff can be proud of as the regular season draws to a close.”
Thompson was pressed into service after Teddy Bridgewater hit a finger on his right hand on a play during which momentum swung from one sideline to the next. Starting with rookie Tua Tagovailoa, running in concussion protocol, Bridgewater and the Dolphins surrendered a 14-10 lead in the third quarter as a Kyle Dugger interception proved costly with a Patriots safety that he returned 39 yards for a go-ahead score.
Bridgewater’s hit came with 2:51 remaining in the third period. McDaniel wasn’t sure of the severity of Bridgewater’s injury but believed it occurred in the Dodger 6 pick that put New England ahead for good. Bridgewater was not officially ruled out with injury as Miami elected to stay with Thompson for the rest of the game.
“I wanted Teddy to get out there and do what he wanted today and come away with a win,” said Thompson, the seventh rusher from Kansas State to start once for Miami this season. .16.
Between Bridgewater and Thompson, Miami’s linebackers couldn’t attack much against a New England defense that lost three key members of the secondary team. Like Bridgewater, Thompson was also intercepted, though wide receiver Terek Hill deserved some of the blame after the ball bounced out of his hands before being blocked three times in the fourth quarter by Jonathan Jones.
“We just missed the shot,” Thompson said when asked about the AI that kept the Dolphins in catch-up mode. “I’ll own it, and I’ll get back to work and be ready to go. You have to have a short-term memory playing that situation, and that’s something I have to do.”
Bridgewater and Thompson threw one hit each, the latter coming with 1:04 remaining and giving Miami another chance to wrap up a month’s worth of losing games after Miami seemed to be in control of its own destiny before December 8-3.
But New England recovered the penalty, eliminating any hope of a playoff finish before Week 18.
The Dolphins came into today as the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. They came to Gillette Stadium not only without Tagovailoa but without the services of No. 1 cornerback Xavien Howard, starting left tackle Terron Armstead, and rusher Bradley Chubb. The three worked out before the match.
“Obviously, these guys would help any team, but their disruption wasn’t why they lost this game,” McDaniel said.
Thompson complimented Miami’s preparation, noting that the past week marked “one of the best weeks of practice we’ve had. … The guys bring energy, stay positive, and do those things.”
Sadly, the Dolphins have nothing to show for their efforts except for another frustrating setback that puts the team’s playoff hopes squarely on the proverbial bubble.
“There is a certain degree of problem-solving that I enjoy in this profession and this job in particular, and I also know that it gives me confidence in a weird way because I’m excited about trying to get people out of tough spots,” McDaniel said. “You’re not motivated to put yourself in a position to be,” Well, how do you feel when you lose five in a row?”
“But to be involved in it — I know that’s kind of my major in the world to me — to help get a bunch of guys out of this is totally my pace and something that’s very important to me, and I’m definitely up for the challenge.”
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