Ryan Fitzpatrick tested positive for COVID Thursday, he reported on the NFL Network; Tua Tagovailoa to start for Miami away to Buffalo in regular season end; Dolphins will reach playoffs with a win over Bills
The Reuters
Last updated: 31/12/20 8:28 p.m.
Ryan Fitzpatrick led the Dolphins to a 26-25 win over the Raiders after being replaced by Tua Tagovailoa Week 16
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has tested positive for COVID-19, the NFL Network reported Thursday.
Fitzpatrick did not work Thursday for the Dolphins, who will have rookie Tua Tagovailoa under the middle three days later in their final season against the host Buffalo Bills.
Miami has not yet made a public comment on the reason for Fitzpatrick’s absence.
Fitzpatrick, 38, has completed 183 of 267 passes for 2,091 yards with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions in nine games this season.
1:05 Somehow Miami quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick finished a deep clutch ball while getting a face-off and then kicker Jason Sanders snatched the field goal that won a 44-yard game while the Dolphins going out of the Las Vegas Raiders
Tagovailoa, who was the fifth overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft, has thrown for 1,453 yards with 10 touchdowns and two catches in nine games this season.
Fitzpatrick relieved Tagovailoa in a 26-25 second-place win over the Las Vegas Raiders host on Dec. 26, making a 41-yard top pass while under pressure from the goal to establish a secure range.
Fourth Jake Rudock was signed on Thursday and took part in a practice ahead of his role as backup for Tagovailoa against Buffalo.
The Dolphins (10-5) will grab a playoff spot if they beat the Bills (12-3) in Buffalo. A loss with the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts or Baltimore Ravens would also send Miami to the postseason for just the third time since 2001.