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Marcel Louis-Jacques, ESPN
MIAMI — Tyler Huntley will start at quarterback for the Miami Dolphins on Monday against the Tennessee Titans, coach Mike McDaniel announced Saturday.
McDaniel said the team decided on “Snoop” Huntley this week, after Skylar Thompson was forced out of last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks because of a rib injury. Thompson might be available as an emergency quarterback, but McDaniel said Tim Boyle wouldl serve as Huntley’s primary backup.
“I think one thing that was supremely obvious to the team since he got here and even more so this practice week, is Snoop has started multiple big games,” McDaniel said. “Just understanding as a quarterback, what is required to win over teammates and take the place of somebody else and assert their own personality, their own skill set, their own traits within the offense and lead people.
“We’ve been very high on Snoop. … His maturation has been expedited by him and he’s done an excellent job assimilating into the locker room.”
The Dolphins signed Huntley from the Baltimore Ravens‘ practice squad last week, after Tua Tagovailoa was put on injured reserve because of a concussion.
Huntley, a former Pro Bowl player who grew up in South Florida, relished the opportunity to start for his hometown team — even if it meant quickly picking up a complex offense.
“It’s like riding a bike — first time, you’re a little iffy, you didn’t know how to pedal,” Huntley said. “Then you just start putting it all together, pedaling, going in a straight line, then after a while, you’re going to start standing up.”
Huntley has started nine games in four seasons, all for the Ravens. He has thrown for 1,957 yards and eight touchdowns against seven interceptions, adding 503 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
He was named to the Pro Bowl in 2022 after starting four games in place of Lamar Jackson and helping to lead the Ravens to a playoff berth.
Huntley’s teammates said his ability to extend plays with his legs adds a special element to what has been a struggling offense through three games — and they’re confident in his ability to learn the system.
“I love Snoop,” wide receiver Tyreek Hill said Thursday. “I had the chance to hang out with him at the Pro Bowl. Tremendous guy, tremendous work ethic. He’s real quiet. For me, I’ve seen it; I’ve been watching film of him since he’s got here, I’m like, ‘This dude can make every throw. This dude is special with his legs.’ He’s a special talent. The only thing — we’ve got a lot of things that go into this offense.
“We got motions, we’ve got getting the play out before, so he’s done a good job of staying in the film room learning all of that stuff.”
The Dolphins will also be without starting left tackle Terron Armstead and cornerback Kendall Fuller, both of whom are in concussion protocol. Running back Raheem Mostert is considered a long shot to play Monday, and linebacker David Long probably will be a game-time decision.