Skylar Thompson is kind of like the teenager who has been handed the keys to his father’s sports car.
Thompson will be behind the wheel of Miami’s high-octane offense when the Dolphins travel across country to face the host Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.
Thompson, a seventh-round pick in 2022 out of Kansas State, will be replacing Tua Tagovailoa, who was placed on injured reserve after sustaining his third concussion in two seasons last Thursday in a 31-10 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills.
Thompson plans to keep things simple.
“When tomorrow comes, I’ll focus on tomorrow,” Thompson said. “That’s my approach to everything. That’s been my approach since I’ve gotten here, and that’s led me to success.”
Thompson started three games in 2022 with Tagovailoa sidelined, including a playoff defeat to the Bills. Thompson completed 78 of 150 passes for 461 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in those three starts, going 1-2.
He served as the Dolphins’ No. 3 quarterback all of last season and didn’t get into a game.
“I felt like my rookie year I was doing things exactly by the book and viewing everything as I would see it in the playbook,” Thompson said. “The footwork and everything. And it was all new to me. I studied it so much — I felt I knew it so well that sometimes it slowed me down a little bit even.
“That’s just another progression of being in my third year and having this opportunity again. I feel like I have a very good understanding of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”
The Dolphins (1-1) signed former Pro Bowler Tyler Huntley off Baltimore’s practice squad for depth, but they appear ready to go with Thompson until Tagovailoa gets back. Thompson completed 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards off the bench last week.
“I have no doubts in my mind that Skylar is going to go out there and do the best he can in Seattle,” Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler said. “I’m super excited to see him play and work on this opportunity. Obviously, we’re praying for and sad about Tua, but I have no hesitation with Skylar going out there as QB1 this week.”
The Seahawks (2-0) are coming off a 23-20 overtime victory last Sunday at New England. With running back Kenneth Walker III sidelined due to an oblique injury, Geno Smith carried the offense by completing 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown.
“That was a heck of a performance, man,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said. “… There’s a little chip on his shoulder. I like it, because they just keep sleeping on this guy. He played at a super high level, so he deserves all the credit he’s getting right now.”
Smith drove the Seahawks down the field for a last-minute field goal in regulation to tie the score, then led the winning march in overtime.
“Whenever I’m in this situation and the game is on the line, I’m so happy and just excited for those opportunities. I look forward to them actually,” Smith said. “I know it’s going to happen more and more times throughout the season. The best quarterbacks always find ways to win. I want to be regarded in that light.”
The Dolphins had one player who missed practice on Wednesday due to an injury, offensive tackle Terron Armstead (shoulder). The Seahawks had eight: Walker, wide receiver DK Metcalf (hand), tight end Brady Russell (shoulder), defensive end Leonard Williams (knee), linebackers Jerome Baker (hamstring), Uchenna Nwosu (knee) and Boye Mafe (knee) and safety K’Von Wallace (shoulder).
