Fitzpatrick Back with the Dolphins

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was back at practice Monday, two days after walking off the field at Hard Rock Stadium prior to the team scrimmage in the aftermath of the death of his mother.
Head coach Brian Flores said after the scrimmage Saturday that Fitzpatrick would be given all the time he needed. The Dolphins conducted a walk-through Sunday.
Fitzpatrick had missed practice the previous week for "personal reasons," but was back after one day away.
The 37-year-old quarterback released a statement through the team late Saturday afternoon thanking fans for the outpouring of sympathy and support.
“On behalf of my family, I want to thank everyone who has reached out with well wishes. It truly means a lot to us.”
“On behalf of my family, I want to thank everyone who has reached out with well wishes. It truly means a lot to us.”
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 29, 2020
-QB Ryan Fitzpatrick on the passing of his Mom, Lori pic.twitter.com/olb8E0L8O5
With Fitzpatrick absent, rookie first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa and 2018 Cardinals first-round selection Josh Rosen took all the snaps in the scrimmage.
Both expressed their condolences for Fitzpatrick after the scrimmage.
“It’s a brutal situation," Rosen said. "And I just tried to support him like any way I could these last couple days, weeks and months; but I mean, Ryan’s mom raised a hell of a kid — really strong, awesome, independent kind dude. And I’ve been fortunate enough to be around him these last couple months, almost a year now, probably. And, yeah, it’s a tough situation, but kind of puts everything into perspective and reminds you that we all are still human and human things happen.”
Said Tagovailoa: "I kind of told Fitz that I’m here for him, but it was something more so emotional for me, too, because I kind of thought of my own mom, and just the thought of not having a family member, losing a family member, I mean, it’s hard. ... I got emotional when Fitz ended up leaving, too and while we were about to pray as a team, but that’s not something that’s easy. I reached out to him, too, telling him that he’s in my prayers and he’s been on my mind and my heart and that if they need anything, that they can reach out to me and I’m here.”
Fitzpatrick will be the starting quarterback for the Dolphins when they open the regular season against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 13.
Fitzpatrick was the Dolphins' 2019 team MVP after passing for 3,529 yards and 20 touchdowns and leading the team in rushing, albeit with only 243 yards.

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of Miami Dolphins On SI and host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press and the Dolphins team website. In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books, such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.
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