Tyler Thigpen
So maybe the Dolphins’ injuries aren’t as bad as originally thought.
Though one of their quarterbacks, Chad Pennington, is indeed out for the season, fellow signal-caller Chad Henne’s playing status looks more on the optimistic side than before, though he was held out of practice for the second day in a row.
Also, according to the Palm Beach Post, their Pro Bowl left tackle Jake Long has returned to the practice field, despite a separated shoulder he suffered in Week 10 against the Titans. Long, drafted first overall in 2008, hasn’t missed a start in 41 games. It’s looking like that streak will continue on Thursday night against the Chicago Bears.
With Miami’s top two quarterbacks on the shelf, third-stringer Tyler Thigpen is slated to start on Thursday, even though the team signed veteran Patrick Ramsey off the scrap heap.
Thigpen joined the Dolphins in 2009 after he was released by the Kansas City Chiefs. Possessing a strong arm and good downfield vision, Thigpen actually increases the value of wide receiver Brandon Marshall. It wouldn’t be a shock to see that duo connect on several deep attempts as Marshall has the ability to stretch the field, but the Bears do possess a strong pass defense.
Don’t expect Thigpen to put up Drew Brees-like numbers in his spot starts, but Miami’s passing offense could be more functional than it was with the underachieving Henne and injury-prone Pennington under center.
