QB Concerns: White in Concussion Protocol
We don't need to tell Miami Dolphins fans about quarterbacks and concussion issues, but here we are again before the 2023 regular season even starts.
Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed during a Zoom media session Monday morning that offseason free agent acquisition Mike White is in the concussion protocol after taking a hit in the third quarter of the Dolphins' 28-3 victory against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
And the crazy part — and we can't make this up — White was injured after entering the game in the middle of a drive because QB Skylar Thompson was pulled from the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
"During the game some staff members noticed some irregularities," McDaniel said. "So that whole process began and I was just told during the game that he was not available."
With White's status now unclear for the time being, McDaniel said the Dolphins would be re-signing rookie free agent quarterback James Blackman, who was in training camp with the team before being waived a couple of weeks ago.
That will keep the Dolphins with three quarterbacks on the roster and will give McDaniel more options in terms of playing time at the position in the preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
WHITE'S SHORTENED OUTING AT HOUSTON
Thompson ended up playing all but four snaps against Houston after replacing Tua Tagovailoa in the second quarter, but the plan was for Thompson and White to split reps before those plans were derailed.
White ended up playing only four snaps against Houston after coming in for Thompson, but one of them was a sack by defensive lineman Adedayo Odeleye on a second-and-4. The play lost 11 yards and White was taken to the ground by both Odeleye and fellow lineman Byron Cowart.
White stayed in the game and handed off on third-and-20 (after a false-start penalty) and didn't return.
Thompson and White played the exact same number of snaps in the preseason opener against Atlanta and McDaniel said the plan was for them to again split snaps, but with Thompson going into the game earlier this time.
Because of the nature of concussions, it's impossible to know exactly how long White will be out of action, but his absence absolutely could end up playing a role in determining who'll start off as Tagovailoa's backup when the regular season kicks off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 10.
Thompson took advantage of his opportunity against Houston, completing 15 of 22 passes for 157 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
For what it's worth, White was listed ahead of Thompson on the depth chart heading into the Houston game.
