Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said all week he was looking to give Ryan Tannehill a shot against a first-team defense this preseason.
It appears the rookie will get his chance on Friday night at Carolina in the team’s second preseason game.
Miami broadcaster Dick Stockton, who is slated to call the team’s game against the Panthers, said Friday morning on 790 The Ticket the eighth-overall selection in April’s draft will start the game under center. Tannehill completed 14 of 21 passes for 167 yards with a touchdown last week in a 20-7 loss to Tampa Bay and had looked impressive during training camp.
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill will indeed start tonight, team source says. Philbin would like to have regular-season starter after this game.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) August 17, 2012
If Tannehill does get the nod, he will join fellow rookies Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Brandon Weeden to start a preseason game.
“What I’m most concerned about Ryan is his decision making, his accuracy, his leadership skills, game management skills in the practice field and his preparation in this building,” Philbin said. “We provide him the practice situations and the mental preparation steps that he needs to take to get ready to play a game at this level as a quarterback.”
The rookie is expected to get 25-30 plays with the first team and incumbent Matt Moore, who led the team to a 6-3 record in the team’s final nine games last season, will likely start the third quarter, reported the Palm Beach Post. Moore struggled in his start against Tampa Bay last week, connecting on 7 of 12 passes for 79 yards with an interception.
Former Pro Bowler David Garrard, who suffered a knee injury last week, is expected to miss up to four more weeks as he recovers. Garrard was atop the depth chart prior to his injury.
Injury update: There will be plenty of players wearing ball caps instead of helmets Friday night in Carolina.
Defensive end Cameron Wake, who was in a car crash this week, didn’t even make the trip north as he recovers from whiplash. Linebackers Karlos Dansby and Kevin Burnett both missed practice this week with various injuries and aren’t expected to play versus the Panthers.
Backup defensive tackle Tony McDaniel, who hurt his knee in last week’s loss to Tampa Bay, was limited this week and also is likely to sit out.
On offense, guards Artis Hicks and Eric Steinbach are likely sidelined as the duo has missed most of this week’s practices. Receiver Brian Hartline, who has yet to practice during training camp due to a calf injury, remains sidelined.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the Dolphins from blogger Dave Carey, follow @CBSSportsNFLMIA.
