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What the Dolphins' Latest QB Move Signals

Veteran backup Tim Boyle's stay with the Miami Dolphins ended up being a short one.

Alain Poupart

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tim Boyle (14) prepares to throw the ball during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Week 3.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tim Boyle (14) prepares to throw the ball during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Week 3. / Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
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The Miami Dolphins' release of quarterback Tim Boyle on Friday might seem strange on the surface, considering it's two days before the Week 5 game against the New England Patriots. Skylar Thompson is questionable because of his rib injury. But a closer look reveals the apparent logic behind the move.

By releasing Boyle on Friday, the Dolphins can re-sign him to the practice squad on Saturday. He can then be elevated to serve as the backup to new starter Tyler Huntley, while Thompson serves as the emergency third quarterback for a second consecutive game. Boyle is not subject to waivers as a vested veteran (four or more years of NFL experience).

The move with Boyle also creates an opening on the 53-man roster. The Dolphins have two players who practiced this week and are eligible to be activated: wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and cornerback Cam Smith.

So, moving with Boyle now keeps him available to back up Thompson and takes care of one roster spot opening.

Boyle was always destined to return to the practice squad once Thompson's ribs healed, so this accelerated the process.

BOYLE'S DOLPHINS STINT

Boyle joined the Dolphins practice squad after the team moved to 53 to replace Mike White as the third quarterback on the roster. He was then signed to the active roster to back up Thompson after Tua Tagovailoa was placed on injured reserve due to the concussion he sustained in the loss against the Buffalo Bills in Week 2.

In the Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks, Boyle was called into action after Thompson left with his injury in the third quarter and completed 7 of 13 passes for 79 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Two of the incompletions came on fourth down, including one on fourth-and-goal from the Seattle 2-yard line.

His longest completion was a 30-yard hook-up with Dee Eskridge, the Dolphins' longest offensive play of the game.

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Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

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