Fla. — The Miami Dolphins are placing quarterback Malik Willis on injured reserve with a groin injury,g quarterback for at least the next four weeks
Willis has received treatment on his groin in each of the past two weeks, but it hasn’t limited his practice or game availability. However, he has looked noticeably hampered over the past two games.
He ranked second among NFL quarterbacks through the first seven weeks of the season with 37 rushing yards per game, but has 7 rushing yards in each of his past two games. Willis admitted after Miami’s loss to the Detroit Lions last week that his groin “felt a little tight,” but didn’t offer any additional information.
Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley told reporters after
Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley told reporters after the game that Willis’ injury limited his ability to play his typically mobile style of football.
“It was tight today and you could see it. You could see he couldn’t really open up,” Hafley said. “There were a couple plays where I give him credit. He pulled it and he ran and he got us yards and he got out of trouble against a good defensive line. But you could see he just wasn’t quite able to go full speed.”
The Dolphins signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason, with a plan to build around him over the next two seasons. In his first season as a starting quarterback, Willis completed 58.2% of his passes for 1,396 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions. He turned in his two best games of the season in Weeks 7 and 8, throwing for a combined 419 yards and four touchdowns against one interception — but he completed a season-low 52% of his passes in Sunday’s loss to Detroit.
Willis was named a team captain
Willis was named a team captain for the first time in his career entering this season and has been a vocal leader for Miami dating back to the offseason.
With their starter out at least until their Week 14 game against the Chicago Bears, the Dolphins will turn to backup quarterback Kyle McCord — who they traded for in August. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said after the trade he felt confident in McCord’s ability to keep the offense moving if need be.
“I’ve always been a fan of his. I feel like when you watch the kid play, he’s a keep-the-train-on-the-tracks kind of guy,” Sullivan said. “I think he processes the game quick. I think he throws an accurate catchable football. He runs the offense, and I know he’s a smart guy. I know he’s a competitive guy. Scouted him in college, obviously followed him and tracked him through the preseason, and I thought he had an opportunity to come in here.
We obviously want [Willis] out there, but if
“We obviously want [Willis] out there, but if something happened, I thought he could run the offense and help give us a chance to win games.”
McCord will see a wide range of defenses over the next four weeks. The Dolphins have back-to-back away games against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, before hosting the New York Jets and facing the Denver Broncos on the road — they rank 17th, 29th, fourth and 24th in passing yards allowed per game, respectively.
Willis’ injury marks another extended absence for a Dolphins team captain this season.
Defensive tackle Zach Sieler is expected to miss the remainder of the season after tearing his biceps in last week’s loss to the Lions, and running back De’Von Achane will also miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL in Week 3
