The Miami Dolphins announced on Tuesday morning that quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter when the team faces the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the starter for Week 5 against the 49ers. pic.twitter.com/DxbiFbwxgD
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) October 6, 2020
While that was always the expectation, some questioned whether the Dolphins should play rookie Tua Tagovailoa over Fitzpatrick.
Tagovailoa is more than 10 1/2 months removed from a serious hip injury during his final game at Alabama on Nov. 17, 2019.
"Look, the honest thing for me is if it was my kid, and he had a serious injury like that, I wouldn't want his coach to throw him in there because of media pressure or anything like that," Dolphins coach Brian Flores said on Monday. "That's kinda how I approach this situation and really all situations. With the players, they are my kids. So, no one is going to pressure me into doing anything. If we feel like he's ready to go, we'll put him in."
Fitzpatrick, 37, has started each of the Dolphins' four games this season. The team is 1-3 heading into Week 5. Tagovailoa has been active for each game, serving as Fitzpatrick's backup.
Fitzpatrick has completed 69 percent of his passes for 994 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions this season. He was 29-of-45 for 315 yards and two interceptions during Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
San Francisco is 2-2 and coming off a 25-20 upset loss against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night.
