CLEVELAND – The Miami Dolphins will try to keep their playoff hopes alive without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
A hip injury will keep Tagovailoa out of Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns (3-12). The Dolphins (7-8) need a win to stay alive in the AFC wild-card race. And even if they beat the Browns, they’ll need outside help.
Miami will close the regular season next weekend at the New York Jets.
Tagovailoa was downgraded to questionable on Saturday after being limited in practice all week by the hip he injured on Dec. 15 against Houston. It is the latest medical setback for Tagovailoa, who was sidelined earlier this season with a concussion.
Tyler Huntley will start for Miami and face the Browns, who signed him as a free agent in March and released him at the end of training camp. This will be Huntley’s fourth start this season.
The Dolphins will also be without wide receiver Jaylen Waddle due to a knee injury. He has 54 catches for 700 yards and two touchdowns.
The Dolphins signed the 26-year-old Huntley after Tagovailoa suffered the third documented concussion of his professional career in September. Huntley spent four seasons as Lamar Jackson’s backup in Baltimore.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) scrambles with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Houston. Credit: AP/Ashley Landis
Huntley is 4-8 as a starter. He has completed 63.7% of his passes with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions.