DAVIE, Florida – Veteran Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday’s game against Buffalo Bills, an ESPN confirmed source.
The Dolphins and NFL have been tracking initial contacts, with no high-risk close contacts established since Thursday afternoon, a source told ESPN, but that process will continue. Fitzpatrick fully exercised on Wednesday and was not included in the injury report, but did not train on Thursday afternoon, indicating that the COVID-19 positive test was a recent surprise.
Rookie Tua Tagovailoa is the Dolphins’ starting quarterback, but Fitzpatrick has been called up twice in the fourth quarter to play what coach Brian Flores compares to his role as a “ninth-half reliever.” Fitzpatrick led the Dolphins to a 26-25 comeback against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, after a height of 34 meters, coupled with a 15-meter penalty, set the winning mask of the game.
The Dolphins signed Jake Rudock on the 53-man roster on Thursday, and are expected to be Tagovailoa’s backup Sunday. Tagovailoa, Rudock and training team defender Reid Sinnett fully trained on Thursday.
The NFL Network first reported Fitzpatrick’s positive test.
The Dolphins will win a playoff spot with a win over the Bills. He could still make the playoffs with a loss, but he would need a loss to either the Cleveland Browns (versus a Steelers team resting from key rookies), the Indianapolis Colts (versus the Jaguars) or the Baltimore Ravens (versus of Bengals). The Bills, who won AFC East but can win No. 2 or No. 3 based on the results of Week 17, wondered if their holders would play.
Fitzpatrick, 38, is 4-3 as a starter this season, throwing for 2,091 meters with 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions.