With 6 losses, the Miami Dolphins have struggled badly this season. With their only win coming against the New York Jets, the only team with seven straight losses, the Dolphins look desperate for a win. Now, just hours before kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons, there seems to be a new update.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that QB Tua Tagovailoa has been added to the injury report due to an illness. The Dolphins did not give him an injury designation for the game. So, he’s expected to start the game against the Falcons.

Tua Tagovailoa enters the game coming off the worst statistical two-game stretch of his career. Last Sunday when Miami suffered a daunting 31-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns, he was benched with roughly 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Tagovailoa was replaced by rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, who then made his NFL debut.

In the game, Tagovailoa completed just 12 of 23 passes for 100 yards. He threw three interceptions, marking his second consecutive three-interception game. But despite the brutal play, head coach Mike McDaniel made it clear there would be no quarterback change coming into Week 8.

“He is going to take the snaps this week, and he is going to be a starter this week, and my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks,” McDaniel said last week on Monday.

The sixth-year quarterback currently has 10 interceptions this season through seven games. Despite the rough stretch, head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed Monday that Tagovailoa will remain the starter. “He is going to take the snaps this week, and he is going to be a starter this week, and my expectation is that we don’t throw 10 picks,” McDaniel said.

Later on Wednesday, McDaniel also emphasized that despite the struggles and the poor performances, his relationship with Tagovailoa remains strong.

“We had a great hour-and-a-half meeting yesterday,” McDaniel said. “We had a great hour meeting the day before, as Tua and I have always operated. I think there’s zero uncertainty with Tua on my conviction in him and my belief in him.”

Tagovailoa acknowledged that the conversations with McDaniel had been difficult but necessary as both worked to improve their performance.

“You’ve got to have that in a relationship,” Tagovailoa said.

The question heading into the matchup now hangs on whether McDaniel’s confidence in his quarterback would be validated by improved play on the field. Since calls for an in-season firing of McDaniel have already been intensified after the defeat. Although, owner Stephen Ross has reportedly decided to stick with him for now.

Tua Tagovailoa is facing uncertainty as the Dolphins’ season hangs by a thread

On the Rich Eisen Show, senior NFL reporter Albert Breer revealed that some inside the team are open to giving defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver a chance if things worsen.

“I do think there are some people in the organization who, before the end of the year, might like to get a look at Anthony Weaver as an interim coach,” Breer said.

“So, there’s just a lot of moving parts there right now.” Weaver carries experience from the Bills, Browns, Texans, Ravens, and Jets. He was Baltimore’s associate head coach in 2022 and 2023 before coming to Miami. So he can be a potential replacement.

Miami faces an Atlanta defense that, according to Fox Sports, has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points. Atlanta had just six interceptions and seven passing touchdowns surrendered. The Falcons enter at 3-3 after falling 20-10 to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football in Week 7.

Miami currently ranks 26th in the league for total offense, averaging just 279 yards per game, and the team’s season appears to be slipping away. Tagovailoa will have to perform at a higher level if the Dolphins have any hope of keeping their season alive.