Dolphins Rumors: Latest Buzz on Ryan Tannehill Amid Tua Tagovailoa Injury

After the Miami Dolphins placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve, many wondered if reuniting with veteran Ryan Tannehill would provide them with a viable replacement.

However, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that Tannehill is unlikely to end his free agency for a temporary role in Miami.

"My understanding is he, if he's going to play, it's going to be for a team he'd be able to play the entire season," Rapoport said. "This does not seem to be that with Tua, now on IR."

Tannehill, who spent the last five years with the Tennessee Titans, began his career with the Dolphins after being selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2012 draft. He went 42-46 as Miami's starter over six seasons before the team traded him to Tennessee, where he earned his lone Pro Bowl selection and was named 2019 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

The Titans chose to move forward with 2023 second-round draft pick Will Levis as their starting quarterback, leaving Tannehill to test the waters in free agency. However, Rapoport's report suggests that the 36-year-old is not interested in a backup role at this stage in his career.

Tagovailoa will miss at least the next four games while he recovers from a scary concussion suffered in last Thursday night's loss against the Buffalo Bills. It was his third diagnosed concussion in his five-year NFL career.

The Dolphins are planning to deploy 2022 seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson as their starting quarterback in Tagovailoa's absence. Thompson produced 80 yards after taking over for Tagovailoa against the Bills and threw for 534 yards, a touchdown and an interception in his rookie season while appearing in seven games.

Miami also signed veteran backup Tyler Huntley off the Baltimore Ravens practice squad to add some depth.

The Dolphins will have to get used to life without Tagovailoa, starting with Sunday's road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.