The Miami Dolphins, while anticipating the return of starter Tua Tagovailoa from a concussion, bolstered their quarterback depth with Wednesday’s signing of veteran C.J. Beathard to the practice squad.
The Dolphins will be without Tyler Huntley, who started the past three games, after he injured his throwing shoulder last Sunday in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Skylar Thompson is listed atop the depth chart, but he sustained rib and chest injuries in a Week 3 loss at Seattle as the starter in place of Tagovailoa, who was injured on Sept. 12 against Buffalo. Thompson was a full practice participant last week but said he had discomfort throwing deep passes.
The Dolphins (2-4) also have veteran Tim Boyle, who replaced Huntley on Sunday.
Tagovailoa is still on injured reserve and cannot be cleared until after he begins football-related activity, but he said the plan is to approach the week as if he’ll start Sunday’s game against the visiting Arizona Cardinals (3-4). He was scheduled to practice on Wednesday afternoon.
San Francisco selected Beathard, 30, in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has started 13 of 32 career games (3-10 record) and completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 3,886 yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions for the 49ers (2017-18, 2020) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-23).
“C.J. was a third-round draft pick the first year I was in San Francisco,” Miami coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday. “I worked pretty hands-on with him. What I like about him is his competitive drive, his arm talent and his toughness. He’s a competitor through and through.”
In other moves Wednesday, the Dolphins signed wide receiver Tarik Black to the practice squad and released tight end Hayden Rucci from the practice squad.
