The Buffalo Bills will see rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa under center for the first snap played by the Miami Dolphins offense on Sunday in Week 17. After that? Who knows?
Now the Bills (12-3) do know that answer. It’ll be Tagovailoa until the end because on Thursday, backup Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has relieved Tagovailoa in the midst of games multiple times in 2020, has now been ruled out.
Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Fitzpatrick has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unavailable for the season finale.
Earlier this week, Miami coach Brian Flores named Tagovailoa the Dolphins’ starting QB despite Fitzpatrick relieving him in Week 16 against the Raiders. In that game, Fitzpatrick helped setup a last-second touchdown on a wild play. Still, it’ll be Tagovailoa… for now.
That’s because this news comes with a huge nugget for the Dolphins (10-5) as well. Following Fitzpatrick’s test, Miami will have to go through COVID safety protocols which means that contact tracing will be conducted. Tagovailoa could be a candidate for that considering he plays the same position as Fitzpatrick, meaning he would also go on the Dolphins’ Reserve/COVID list.
However, according to the Miami Herald, Tagovailoa was at practice on Thursday.
Stay tuned to Bills Wire for updates.
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