Tua to remain starter despite Fitzpatrick's comeback win vs. Raiders
The Miami Dolphins plan to keep Tua Tagovailoa as their starter at quarterback despite Ryan Fitzpatrick's excellent relief appearance in Saturday's 26-25 comeback win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
"Tua is the starter," head coach Brian Flores said postgame, according to Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Fitzpatrick replaced the rookie with Miami trailing 16-13 and 9:47 left in the fourth quarter. The veteran led the Dolphins to 13 points in the final period, including the game-winning field goal as time expired following a three-play, 49-yard drive that took just 18 seconds.
He completed 9 of 13 pass attempts for 182 yards and one touchdown on the night. Tagovailoa, meanwhile, went 17-for-22 passing with 94 yards and one touchdown before being sidelined.
"It wasn't a shock to see what happened. They call him FitzMagic for a reason," Tagovailoa said after the win, per Safid Deen of the Sun-Sentinel.
Fitzpatrick began the season as the starter in Miami, but he was benched for Tagovailoa after Week 6.
The 10-5 Dolphins need a win against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday to clinch their first playoff berth since 2016.