**Skylar Thompson** is in a position akin to a teenager handed the keys to his father’s luxury sports car. But this Sunday, Thompson will be at the helm of **Miami’s high-octane offense** as the Dolphins take a cross-country trip to face the *formidable* **Seattle Seahawks**.
Thompson, a 2022 seventh-round selection out of **Kansas State**, will be stepping in for **Tua Tagovailoa**, who, unfortunately, has been placed on injured reserve following his third concussion in two seasons during last Thursday’s 31-10 defeat to the Buffalo Bills.
For Thompson, the game plan is crystal clear: keeping things simple.
“When tomorrow comes, I’m going to focus on tomorrow,” Thompson stated emphatically. “That’s my way of dealing with everything. It’s been my way of dealing with everything since I got here and that’s led to my success.”
Thompson has some experience under his belt, having started three games in 2022 while Tagovailoa was out. He completed 78 of 150 throws for 461 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions across those starts, posting a 1-2 record.
He spent the entirety of last season as Miami’s No. 3 quarterback, without seeing any game action.
“I felt like my rookie year, I was doing things exactly as they were in the book and seeing everything as I would see it in the playbook,” Thompson reflected. “The **footwork** and **execution**. And it was all new to me. I studied it so much, I felt like I knew it so well that it even slowed me down a little bit at times.”
In a move aimed at bolstering depth, the Dolphins signed former Pro Bowler **Tyler Huntley** from Baltimore’s practice squad. However, it appears that they are placing their trust in Thompson until Tagovailoa’s return. Thompson showed promise by completing 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards off the bench last week.
“I have no doubt that Skylar will come out and do his best in **Seattle**,” expressed Dolphins defensive tackle **Zach Sieler**. “I’m very excited to see him play and seize this opportunity. Obviously, we’re praying for **Tua** and are sad for him, but I have no doubt that Skylar will step up as **QB1** this week.”
The **Seahawks** (2-0) are riding high after a thrilling **23-20 overtime victory** in New England last Sunday. With running back **Kenneth Walker III** sidelined by an oblique injury, **Geno Smith** took charge, completing 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown.
“That was an incredible performance,” praised Seahawks coach **Mike Macdonald**. “… He’s got a little bit of a grudge. I like that because they keep ignoring this guy. He’s been playing at a very high level, so he deserves all the credit he’s getting right now.”
Smith was the hero, driving the Seahawks downfield for a last-minute field goal to tie the score in regulation, then orchestrating the game-winning drive in overtime.
“Every time I get in this situation and the game is on the line, I’m happy and excited about those opportunities. In fact, I look forward to them,” Smith said. “I know it’s going to happen more and more as the season goes on. The best quarterbacks always find a way to win. I want to be thought of that way.”
On the injury front, the Dolphins had one player miss practice Wednesday—offensive tackle **Terron Armstead** (shoulder). Meanwhile, the Seahawks were dealing with eight players sidelined, including Kenneth Walker, wide receiver **DK Metcalf** (hand), tight end **Brady Russell** (shoulder), defensive end **Leonard Williams** (knee), linebackers **Jerome Baker** (hamstring), **Uchenna Nwosu** (knee), **Boye Mafe** (knee), and safety **K’Von Wallace** (shoulder).
Get ready for what promises to be an electrifying match-up between two teams looking to make a statement early in the season!
