Tua Tagovailoa to miss Miami Dolphins' Wild Card showdown with Buffalo Bills, Skylar Thompson to start

Bad news for Miami Dolphins fans — Tua Tagovailoa will miss the team’s playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Speaking with the media on Wednesday, Dolphins leader Mike McDaniel revealed the disappointing yet unsurprising news that the former Alabama quarterback won’t lead Miami into battle during Wild Card Weekend.

“Tua Tagovailoa is OUT Sunday vs. Bills,” tweeted Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. “Mike McDaniel says as of today Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t been cleared to resume football activities with the team so he’s ruled out.”

So who will start the biggest game in many seasons for the Dolphins? According to McDaniel, Skylar Thompson will be their signal caller.

“Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said they’re planning for Skylar Thompson to start at QB on Sunday in Buffalo,” tweeted Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

On the season thus far, Thompson has amassed 534 passing yards and one passing touchdown, throwing three interceptions as well. While his numbers haven’t been gaudy, he led the Dolphins to their playoff-clinching 11-6 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday.

Meanwhile, in 13 appearances this season, the aforementioned Tagovailoa amassed 3,548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He had been a fan favorite all year, leading the NFL in Pro Bowl voting earlier this season. However, his health has been a concern throughout the year, as he’s had multiple concussions piling on.

During the regular season, the Dolphins spilt the season series with the Bills, defeating them in Miami and falling to Josh Allen and company on a snowy night in Buffalo. Both games were decided by thin margins, but Miami will have their work cut out for them on Sunday.

Regardless, the Dolphins won’t go gently into the long night, and they’ll giver the Bills all they can handle in Buffalo during their first playoff appearance of the Mike McDaniel era.