NFL Mike White wins Dolphins backup QB job; Tyreek Hill reacts to avoiding suspension from NFL
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel named Mike White the team’s backup quarterback Monday, ahead of the team’s regular-season opener at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
White was in a training camp competition for the No. 2 duties with Skylar Thompson. He missed the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to concussion protocol after he barely played in the previous exhibition game, at the Houston Texans.
“I thought Mike White and Skylar competed all the way until the last rep,” McDaniel said. “They both made just cases.”
White was brought in to compete for the backup job behind Tua Tagovailoa, although he was paid in free agency like a solidified No. 2 quarterback. White, a Broward County native who attended high school at University School, signed for two years and $8 million in the offseason.
In the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons, White was 9 of 14 for 85 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. He got the offense moving in the open field but was 0 for 3 in the red zone.
White came over from the New York Jets in the offseason. There, he was under offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, who ran a similar scheme to what McDaniel runs in Miami.
Last year, Thompson appeared in seven games for the Dolphins as the team’s rookie third-string quarterback, making two regular-season starts, plus starting the playoff loss at Buffalo. He was 60 of 105 for 534 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and a 62.2 passer rating. He completed 57.1% of his passes and was sacked six times.
In the postseason game against the Bills, he was 18 of 45 for 220 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
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McDaniel said all three quarterbacks will be active on game days during the season, although the third quarterback can now be a listed inactive but play under the emergency circumstance of the first two quarterbacks going down.
Although McDaniel named his backup quarterback Monday, he was not yet willing to announce his starting left guard, which has been a competition between newcomer Isaiah Wynn and incumbent Liam Eichenberg.
Hill on NFL decision
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill seemed relieved Monday over the NFL’s Thursday decision not to discipline him over his offseason marina incident, when he allegedly slapped a charter worker.
“I kind of wasn’t thinking about it, but now, I’m glad everything’s behind me,” the speedy All-Pro said.
“I just got to make better decisions, obviously. Not only for myself, but for this team, my family, my kids. Just be smarter and be a pro, and just be grateful for this opportunity because I feel like, sometimes, we lose sight of just who we are, and that’s not the person that my grandparents raised me to be.”
Hill still had a wisecrack, though, over his two unexcused absences lining up with the league’s decision.
“It took two days of me going to mow the commissioner’s lawn,” Hill joked about avoiding suspension. “That’s why I was excused.”
Captains announced
The Dolphins announced their seven captains for the 2023 season Monday morning: Tagovailoa, Hill, left tackle Terron Armstead, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, cornerback Xavien Howard, safety Jevon Holland and fullback Alec Ingold.
Of the seven, six were captains in 2022. The new one is Ingold, who became the NFL’s richest fullback when he signed his Thursday. He replaced former linebacker Elandon Roberts, who went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason.
“It’s a major responsibility,” Hill said. “You definitely got to be somewhat of a leader, even if you’re not comfortable vocally. A lot of guys show it in different ways. I’m the kind of guy, I love showing it vocally, and I love showing it through action, too.”
Said Holland, a captain for a second season running as a third-year player: “It’s a lot of weight on my shoulders, but feels good to know that the guys trust me to go out there and lead.”
Injury updates
On the injury front, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (midsection), safety Brandon Jones (knee) and running back De’Von Achane (shoulder) were all seen practicing Monday, as McDaniel said he expected before drills.
Although Armstead didn’t get practice reps Monday because of his lower left leg injury, McDaniel offered that the four-time Pro Bowl pick is “progressing well.” Armstead was seen working out on the side of drills.
Not seen during the media viewing portion of Monday practice were defensive backs Elijah Campbell and Justin Bethel.
—The Dolphins signed wide receiver Robbie Chosen back to the team on the practice squad and released defensive end Randy Charlton from the practice squad Monday.
