Dolphins-Jets live blog: Tua Tagovailoa’s hip injury, Aaron Rodgers’ future & Jets beat Fins

The Miami Dolphins’ playoff chances died the minute the clock hit zero in the Denver Broncos’ resounding win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Still, the Dolphins managed to make it a bit interesting before ultimately falling to the New York Jets 32-20.

Here’s what you missed:

Jonnu Smith sets single-season tight end touchdown record:

With a touchdown catch at the 5:21 mark, the star tight end broke the single-season Dolphins touchdown record for his position.

That officially makes Smith the most productive tight end in Dolphins history as he now owns the single-season record for receptions and yards as well.

Dolphins are still down 25-20.

Dolphins score their first touchdown:

It took three quarters but the Dolphins finally scored a touchdown.

A 15-yard touchdown courtesy of tailback De’Von Achane cut the Jets’ lead to 18-13.

The Jets, however, are 2-5 when they start the fourth quarter with a lead so this game is certainly far from over.

Calais Campbell hits sack incentive:

The star defensive tackle needed one more sack to earn an extra $300,000.

Two quarters into the game, Campbell did just that, sacking quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a 9-yard loss to put the Jets way behind the sticks. The Jets would punt the ball two plays later.

Miami needs to start going offensively as they find themselves down 15-6 in the third quarter.

Achane with biggest run of the year:

61 yards.

That’s how long De’Von Achane ran before he was stopped at the Jets 3-yard line.

For a team that has struggled to run the ball all year, this is a great sign. Once again, however, the Dolphins couldn’t manage to punch the ball in and had to settle for a field goal.

Fins remain up 6-0.

Dolphins force turnover early:

Well that was fast.

A week removed from arguably the best performance of his life, linebacker Tyrel Dodson picked off Aaron Rodgers on the Jets’ first offensive play.

Dodson now has an interception in back-to-back weeks.

The Dolphins, unfortunately, couldn’t capitalize on the red zone trip. A Jason Sanders field goal put the Fins up 3-0.

Inactives:

Tua Tagovailoa (hip) officially won’t play versus the Jets, according to injury report, paving the way for Tyler “Snoop” Huntley’s second consecutive start.

The Dolphins will have both of their elite receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle against the Jets. Hill (wrist) and Waddle (knee) were initially listed as questionable.

Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead (knee) will start despite exiting right before halftime in last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Other inactives include linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (knee), outside linebacker Mohamed Kamara, receivers Dee Eskridge (finger) and Erik Ezukanma as well as offensive linemen Andrew Meyer and Braeden Daniels.

Tagovailoa’s hip:

With the franchise quarterback’s status doubtful for Sunday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport took readers inside Tagovailoa’s “unique hip injury which is affecting the surrounding muscles and therefore his strength and mobility, along with leaving him vulnerable to further injury,” according to the insider’s sources.

Coach Mike McDaniel called the injury “a unique muscle issue as a result of the hip” on Friday. Rapoport reported Sunday that if Tagovaila played “before the swelling subsides and muscle tearing in the area heals,” he would be at risk of worsening the ailment.

Tagovailoa suffered the injury during the Dolphins’ Week 15 matchup with the Houston Texans. He was hit in the affected area the following week against the San Francisco 49ers. Tagovailoa would subsequently be ruled out last week versus the Cleveland Browns.

“Obviously the concussions have been a thing and then just off of that, other injuries that have stacked up with the concussions to where I’m missing games,” Tagovailoa told on Friday. “It is frustrating. That’s something to think about this offseason, that’s something to talk with the coaches and essentially it just falls on my plate, just protecting myself better and things that I already know.”

Although Tagovailoa insisted he would play if the Dolphins sneak into the playoffs, Rapoport’s reporting insisted that “it’s not a given the QB would be cleared next week if the Dolphins advance to Super Wild Card Weekend.”

Rodgers’ last game:

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport called the future Hall of Fame quarterback’s NFL future “up in the air” on Sunday.

“There’s several people close to him who I know are preparing for the fact that this could in fact be it,” Rapoport said Sunday.

At the end of the day, nobody truly knows Rodgers’ next move except himself. Keep in mind: his recently released Netflix docuseries isn’t entitled “Enigma” for no reason.

And if this is truly the last time that Rodgers suits up, happy trails to one of the most unique quarterback talents the game has ever seen. But to the Dolphins and their fans alike, bigger things are at play.

“If it is A-Rod’s last game, we’ll send him out with a L,” rookie tackle Patrick Paul said Friday. “He’s a phenomenal player too. Hall of fame. First ballot. He definitely not winning this last one.”

Pregame reading

▪ Dolphins elevate two players from practice squad, with Armstead status in question

▪Campbell neck issue puts status in question. Tagovailoa doubtful, six Dolphins questionable

▪Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s second Dolphins-Jets game

▪ Kelly: Top 10 lessons Dolphins should have learned from 2024 | Opinion

▪Tagovailoa discusses hip, vows to play in postseason if get there: ‘Yeah, I’m frustrated’

▪Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s Dolphins-Browns game

▪ With a Dolphins playoff berth on the line, the Jets game will show how they handle adversity

▪ Greg Cote’s Hot Button Top 10: Jimmy Butler suspension, Dolphins playoff shot, CFP semifinals & more