The Miami Dolphins are heading into their bye week with a 3-3 record and with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick having played some solid football so far this season: the veteran quarterback has completed 70.1 percent of his pass attempts for 1,535 yards as well as 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Fitzpatrick has also carried the ball 25 times for 135 yards and two scores. And yet, he will not lead the team on the other side of the bye.
As first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Dolphins have decided to name first-round rookie Tua Tagovailoa as their new starting quarterback moving forward.
Tagovailoa was drafted fifth overall by Miami earlier this year, but had to start the season as Fitzpatrick’s backup while recovering from a hip dislocation that prematurely ended his college career at Alabama last November. The 22-year-old made his NFL debut on Sunday against the New York Jets, entering the contest for five snaps late in the fourth quarter. He attempted and completed two passes for a combined nine yards.
Unless Miami makes another change further down the line, this means that the New England Patriots will face the rookie when the two teams square off in Week 15.