Miami plans to start Kyle McCord, who will be making his first career start and taking his first career snap in the NFL, on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. McCord is a second year quarterback who was acquired in an August trade with the Green Bay Packers, and he now gets his chance after the Dolphins lost their starter.
Why it matters
Malik Willis went on injured reserve on Tuesday after an MRI on Monday revealed a core muscle injury. Willis had been dealing with a groin injury that significantly limited his mobility against Detroit in Week 9, and doctors determined it had progressed to the point of needing rest. He may not need surgery, but he is expected to miss at least a month.
Head coach Jeff Hafley said there is no quarterback debate in Miami. When and if Willis returns, he will be the starter, Hafley said, shutting down any notion of a controversy as McCord takes over. The Dolphins signed Willis in March to a three year, 67.5 million dollar deal, intending to use this season to evaluate whether he could be the franchise starter of the future.
What happens next
Willis has completed 58.2 percent of his passes for 1,396 yards, with six touchdowns and six interceptions. The Dolphins are 1 and 7 after losing back to back games, and they have been hit hard by injuries across the roster. Running back DeVon Achane has been on injured reserve since September with a knee injury, and defensive tackle Zach Sieler suffered a season ending ruptured biceps.
For now, McCord has the job for Sunday and the Colts are the test. The rebuilding Dolphins will learn quickly whether their backup is ready for the moment, and Willis will watch from the sideline as his replacement takes the first snap of his career.
The Dolphins are 1 and 7 after losing back to back games, and they have been hit hard by injuries across the roster. Running back DeVon Achane has been on injured reserve since September with a knee injury, and defensive tackle Zach Sieler suffered a season ending ruptured biceps on Sunday. The Colts are 2 and 7 and did not trade quarterback Daniel Jones or star running back Jonathan Taylor by the deadline, but they did trade their top two receivers, Josh Downs to Kansas City and Keenan Allen to San Francisco. It is uncertain whether wide receiver Alec Pierce, out since Week 2 with a heel injury, will return this season.
