Miami Dolphins to Start Rookie QB Skylar Thompson Against the Vikings

Posted on: October 14, 2022, 09:30h. 

Last updated on: October 14, 2022, 11:31h.

Pauly McGuire Read More
Expertise: Sports Betting, Sports.

With Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater in concussion protocol, the Miami Dolphins have no choice but to start rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson in a Week 6 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Skylar Thompson Miami Dolphins backup quarterback QB Minnesota Vikings
Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson evades a sack by Quinnen Williams of the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Thompson is the starting quarterback this week against the Minnesota Vikings. (Image: Adam Hunger/AP)

In a Week 5 game between the Dolphins and the New York Jets, Bridgewater suffered a concussion during the first drive of the game. He had to exit the game under the NFL’s strict new concussion protocol. The added level of protection was put in place after the horrific incident the previous week on Thursday Night Football, when Tagovailoa suffered a serious brain injury against the Cincinnati Bengals.

In an ironic twist of fate, Bridgewater — who replaced Tagovailoa in the lineup — was the first quarterback flagged under the new rule.

You never want to see one of your teammates go down, especially to see Teddy on the first play,” said Thompson. “It was a little bit to take in.”

The Dolphins (3-2) and Vikings (4-1) were initially a pick’em on the look-ahead line at Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas. Oddsmakers adjusted the line, with the Vikings now a -3 favorite with Bridgewater out and Thompson slated in as the starter.

The Dolphins began the season with a 3-0 record before they dropped their last two games against the Bengals and Jets. Both defeats occurred because they lost their starting quarterback in both games and had to rely on the backup to finish.

Meet Skylar Thompson

Unless you went to Kansas State or you’re an avid follower of high school sports in Missouri, you might not be familiar with Thompson.

Thompson grew up in Independence, Mo., where he was a multi-sport athlete and a local legend. He led Fort Osage High School to the state football championship with 455 passing yards and seven touchdowns in the title game.

At Kansas State, Thompson completed 62.4% of his passes for 7,124 passing yards. He threw 42 touchdowns and just 16 interceptions. He also added 26 rushing touchdowns.

The Dolphins took a flier on Thompson with a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. He earned a spot on the roster as the third-string quarterback behind Tagovailoa and Bridgewater. He had a couple of impressive stints during the preseason, but was a virtual unknown before stepping onto the turf at MetLife Stadium last Sunday.

Thompson earns his first start against the Vikings, but he essentially played most of game against the New York Jets in Week 5. He endured a baptism by fire in a 40-17 thrashing by the Jets. He completed 19-of-33 passes for 166 yards and threw an interception to Sauce Gardner. The Jets sacked him twice.

Thompson took all of the first-team reps in practice this week, so he’ll be better prepared against the Vikings. Although Bridgewater and Tagovailoa won’t be in uniform, they’ve been advising Thompson in practice and in the film room.

All that teammate support is a very immensely huge thing for a player like that,” said head coach Mike McDaniel. “Having that support from his brother on the sidelines this week. Because it was a lonely sideline last week.”

Reid Sinnett earned a promotion from the practice squad to backup quarterback. Sinnett spent last season as a third-string quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles behind Jalen Hurts and Gardner Minshew.