Miami, Fla. – Coach Jeff Hafley announced Tuesday that starting quarterback Malik Willis has been placed on the injured reserve list following an MRI that confirmed a core muscle injury. The move sidelines Willis indefinitely, but the Dolphins are confident the team will remain competitive under backup Kyle McCord.
Willis’ injury and recovery outlook
Willis suffered a groin issue that limited his mobility in the Week 9 loss to Detroit. Doctors determined the problem had progressed, requiring rest to avoid further damage. “You look back at Malik and you watch him in that last game and you could see it,” Hafley said. “He couldn’t quite move the way he had done early in the year and he was gritting through it. We want him healthy so he can play at a high level without risking further injury.”
McCord steps into the starting role
With Willis out, Hafley made it clear there will be no quarterback controversy. “You guys will ask me, yes, he’ll be the starting quarterback if he returns,” Hafley said. McCord, a 24‑year‑old who spent the 2025 season on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad after being drafted in the sixth round, has been the Dolphins’ primary backup since the team moved on from Quinn Ewers in August.
McCord expressed excitement but emphasized performance. “Excited, but obviously production on the field matters most,” he said at the locker room. In three preseason games with Green Bay, he completed 46 of 70 passes for 446 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions, though he was sacked six times.
McCord’s background and skill set
McCord played four college seasons at Ohio State and Syracuse, finishing his final year at Syracuse with 4,779 passing yards, breaking the Atlantic Coast Conference single‑season record previously held by Deshaun Watson. Hafley praised his arm strength and decision‑making: “He’s got a strong arm, stronger than you think. He sees it well. The ball comes out fast. He’s decisive. He’s aggressive. He has quiet confidence and experience, even if he’s new to this league.”
Team injuries and leadership changes
The Dolphins have also dealt with several other injuries. Running back De’Von Achane has been on IR since September with a knee injury, and veteran lineman Zach Sieler was placed on season‑ending IR after a ruptured biceps. Linebacker Josh Uche was elevated to team captain after three of the original six captains were sidelined.
Uche, who joined Miami in March and has contributed three sacks, 34 tackles and seven quarterback hits, said, “It’s still a dream just playing football. I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid. For guys to trust me as part of the leadership is a testament to perseverance.”
What’s next for Miami
Hafley expects the team to navigate the next four or five games while evaluating Willis’ return. “We’ll see if he comes back and can play and how he does in those games. If not, then we’ll have to evaluate in other ways,” he said.
Willis signed a three‑year, $67.5 million contract in March, intended to give the franchise a chance to assess his long‑term starter potential. In his first eight games as a full‑time starter, he completed 58.2 % of his passes for 1,396 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions.
The Dolphins remain hopeful that McCord can guide the offense effectively while Willis recovers, keeping Miami’s playoff aspirations alive.
Original reporting: WPBF (Treasure Coast / Hearst) — read the source article.
