Dolphins Place Malik Willis on Injured Reserve With Groin Injury
The Miami Dolphins are placing quarterback Malik Willis on injured reserve with a groin injury, leaving the team without its starter for at least four weeks. Kyle McCord will take over, beginning with upcoming road games against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills.
The Miami Dolphins are placing quarterback Malik Willis on injured reserve with a groin injury, making Kyle McCord the dolphins backup qb as the team prepares to play without its starter for at least four weeks. The move leaves Miami without Willis until at least its Week 14 game against the Chicago Bears.
Willis received treatment on his groin during each of the past two weeks, but the injury had not kept him from practicing or playing. He appeared hampered in his last two games, however, and had 7 rushing yards in each after averaging 37 per game through the season’s first seven weeks.
After Miami’s loss to the Detroit Lions last week, Willis said his groin “felt a little tight.” Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said the injury affected the quarterback’s mobility.
“It was tight today and you could see it. You could see he couldn't really open up,” Hafley said. He added that Willis “just wasn't quite able to go full speed.”
Willis completed 58.2% of his passes for 1,396 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in his first season as a starting quarterback. He threw for a combined 419 yards and four touchdowns against one interception in Weeks 7 and 8, then completed a season-low 52% of his passes in Sunday’s loss to Detroit.
Miami signed Willis to a three-year, $67.5 million contract this offseason, with plans to build around him over the next two seasons. He also entered the season as a team captain and a vocal leader.
McCord joined the Dolphins in an August trade. General manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said he trusted the backup to keep the offense functioning if Willis could not play.
“I feel like when you watch the kid play, he's a keep-the-train-on-the-tracks kind of guy,” Sullivan said. He praised McCord’s quick processing and accuracy, adding that he believed the quarterback could “help give us a chance to win games.”
McCord’s next games include road matchups against the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, followed by a home game against the New York Jets and a road game against the Denver Broncos. Those teams ranked 17th, 29th, fourth and 24th, respectively, in passing yards allowed per game.
Willis’s injury adds to Miami’s list of extended absences. Defensive tackle Zach Sieler is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his biceps, while running back De'Von Achane will also miss the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL in Week 3.
