Dolphins are signing former Ravens QB Tyler Huntley as Tua Tagovailoa remains out with a concussion

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins are signing backup quarterback Tyler Huntley off the Ravens' practice squad as Tua Tagovailoa remains out with the third diagnosed concussion of his pro career.

Coach Mike McDaniel confirmed the move first reported by NFL Network on Monday, saying that Huntley is being added for depth behind current No. 2 quarterback Skylar Thompson.

Tagovailoa remains in the NFL's concussion protocol after leaving a 31-10 loss to Buffalo last Thursday. McDaniel said there's still not enough information to know whether Tagovailoa will go on injured reserve.

“That’s gonna be driven by medical experts," McDaniel said, “and when we get the appropriate information and discuss with Tua, then Chris (general manager Chris Grier) and I can discuss that. Not quite ready to make a distinction on that.”

Huntley, who goes by the nickname “Snoop,” signed with the Browns as a free agent in March but was released in August amid roster cuts. The Ravens then brought him back for a second stint with the team.

Huntley was one of numerous veteran quarterbacks who were available for the Dolphins to consider in the wake of Tagovailoa's head injury.

Tagovailoa was hurt on a play where he collided with Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin. He ran for a first down and then initiated the contact by lowering his shoulder into Hamlin instead of sliding.

Players from both teams immediately motioned that Tagovailoa was hurt, and as he lay on the turf the quarterback exhibited some signs typically associated with a traumatic brain injury. He remained down on the field for a couple of minutes, got to his feet and walked to the sideline after the third-quarter play.

Thompson replaced Tagovailoa in the game, but McDaniel said the next day that Miami planned on signing another quarterback.

The coach did not want to speculate on what the latest head injury means for Tagovailoa's future — he was diagnosed with two concussions in 2022 and one during college at Alabama — and McDaniel has repeatedly said he wants to stay out of any decisions Tagovailoa makes about his career amid reports that he has no plans to retire. Tagovailoa is currently consulting neurologists about his health.

“As far as Tua’s career is concerned, I think it’s an utmost priority of mine for Tua to speak on Tua's career," McDaniel said. "Reports are reports. As far as I’m concerned, I’m just worried about the human being and where that's at day to day. I’ll let Tua be the champion of his own career.”

Thompson is the likely starter when Miami travels to face Seattle on Sunday, and McDaniel said adding Huntley has no bearing on the team's confidence in Thompson. Huntley does give the Dolphins another option with experience.

Huntley went undrafted in 2020 before signing with the Ravens. The South Florida native stepped in for an injured Lamar Jackson in 2021 and 2022 and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2022. He went 3-7 in 10 starts with the Ravens, has 1,957 career passing yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions and a 64.6 completion rate.

“It's been apparent from afar," McDaniel said, "and then having some coaches that have been around him, shoot, he was replacing the league MVP and you could tell from far away that he was a guy that the team absolutely believed could lead them to victory. I think that's a very huge tangible thing for a non QB1, necessarily.”

McDaniel said he remains confident in Thompson's ability to win games despite the quarterback struggling Thursday in Tagovailoa's place. He completed 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards.

“I think his game has developed since he's had a starting opportunity in the National Football League,” McDaniel said of Thompson, who started several games as a rookie in 2022 when Tagovailoa was injured. "I think all of his teammates can feel his command and his growth, and I think he put together some winning football as a rookie."

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson (19) aims a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) lies on the field after suffering a concussion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Dolphins are signing former Ravens QB Tyler Huntley as Tua Tagovailoa remains out with a concussion

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel talks to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) as he leaves the game after suffering a concussion during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Dolphins are signing former Ravens QB Tyler Huntley as Tua Tagovailoa remains out with a concussion

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and his family waved to a crowd of flag-waving New Year’s well-wishers gathered at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Friday.

Standing with his wife Masako and the rest of the royal family, he wished a happy new year to people lined up below the palace balcony, some shouting, “banzai" — Japanese for "long live.”

The annual New Year’s appearance by the emperor and his family draws huge crowds to the palace’s usually cloistered grounds in central Tokyo.

People stand in long lines, weathering the cold, for each of the five appearances during the day, as the imperial family remains relatively popular.

The emperor does not have political power but holds symbolic significance for Japan. He and his family are longtime advocates for peace, although World War II was fought in the name of Naruhito’s grandfather Hirohito.

In a statement released in advance, Naruhito noted that last year marked 80 years since the end of that war. He stressed the importance of the message of peace, given that war and strife continued in parts of the world.

“I deeply feel it’s important to continue with efforts among people for dialogue, trying to deepen mutual understanding, so we can build a world of peace,” he said in the statement.

In both the statement and comments Friday, he spoke about recent natural disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rainfall and snow, and forest fires.

In 2024, the annual appearance was canceled because of a New Year’s Day quake in the Noto Peninsula, a coastal area in central Japan, which killed hundreds of people. In 2021 and 2022, it got canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Princess Aiko, the imperial couple's only child, appeared with her parents at this year’s greeting, as did other relatives. She is at the center of a national debate about rules allowing only men to inherit to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The presence of Naruhito’s nephew, Hisahito, also drew attention, as he now takes part in adult imperial events and is a possible heir to the throne. He is second in line after his father, the emperor’s brother.

Akihito, Naruhito’s father and emperor emeritus who abdicated in 2019, was also there with his wife Michiko, the emperor’s mother.

Yuri Kageyama is on Threads https://www.threads.net/@yurikageyama

Japan's Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito, daughter and son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greet well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Emperor Naruhito greets well-wishers during a public appearance for New Year's celebrations at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)