Perkins: Here we go again . . . Dolphins to start a backup QB for fourth time in five seasons

MIAMI GARDENS — Sunday will mark the fourth season in the past five that the Miami Dolphins start a backup quarterback. Kyle McCord, a 2025 sixth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, is scheduled to start for Miami against the Indianapolis Colts (2-7) this week in place of injured starting quarterback Malik Willis , who will miss at least four games while on the injured reserve list with a core injury that started as a groin ailment . But you wonder whether the Dolphins (1-7) finally got it right at backup quarterback. Also, you also wonder how seriously they take that position. The current rebuild means that this is a developmental team and a developmental season for Miami. They’re hoping to develop players, and perhaps they’ll develop a backup quarterback. McCord, who will make his NFL debut Sunday, is a fitting project. He was acquired via trade with the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 30 in exchange for a 2028 sixth-round pick. Yes, the Dolphins could have opted for a veteran backup quarterback but they declined. This will be an interesting situation with McCord, who seems to only have a temporary hold on the job. Hafley said Willis will be “the starting quarterback if he returns.” But there’s no assurance Willis will return this season. He’ll see specialists in the next few days to see if surgery is required. Related Articles Dolphins-Colts predictions: Who will win matchup of depleted teams? Dolphins bring back defensive tackle after Sieler injury; Hafley talks losing Willis A midseason progress report on Dolphins’ three rookie wide receivers Listen to Dolphins Deep Dive with Perk: The Miami Dolphins Podcast Perkins: Dolphins QB Malik Willis’ injury issues keep accumulating, and that’s troubling By the way, Willis’ absence and penchant for being on the injury report — it’s been four weeks among toe, thumb and groin ailments — will undoubtedly affect the way Miami evaluates his seasonlong performance. I asked Hafley how they’ll evaluate Willis at the end of the season considering his many ailments. “We’ll see if he comes back and can play and how he does in those games,” he said. “And if not, then we’ll have to evaluate in other ways.” Hafley went back and forth Wednesday between saying “if” Willis returns this season and “when” Willis returns this season. If Willis requires surgery, there’s a chance it’s season-ending. That would elevate McCord’s status in a big way. Backup quarterbacks have gotten plenty of chances across the league this season. Among the Seattle’ Seahawks’ Drew Lock, Minnesota Vikings’ Carson Wentz, Atlanta Falcons’ Cooper Rush, New York Giants’ Jameis Winston, Eagles’ Joe Milton III, Washington Commanders’ Marcus Mariota, Cleveland Browns’ Shedeur Sanders and Arizona Cardinals’ Gardner Minshew, backups have made numerous appearances and they haven’t always gone well. Wentz, for example, was so bad that Minnesota just traded to acquire veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders. Winston, who tends to run hot and cold, started out hot but was eventually replaced by J.J. McCarthy. If McCord plays at a level that allows the rebuilding Dolphins to win each of their next four games, he’ll likely get an invitation to return for 2027 and perhaps battle for the starting job in training camp. Perkins: Dolphins QB Malik Willis’ injury issues keep accumulating, and that’s troubling That would be a different distinction than other recent Dolphins backup quarterbacks who never got a chance to battle for the starting job. Since 2022, Miami has utilized backup quarterbacks ranging from Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson to Mike White, Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, Tim Boyle, and Quinn Ewers. None has fared particularly well. Now, it’s McCord’s turn. Hafley said McCord is someone who GM Jon-Eric Sullivan and his staff thought had a “really good preseason” with Green Bay. “I think he threw the ball over 30 plus times and had a game-winning drive in the last preseason game that they played,” Hafley said. “And whether that’s preseason or not, there’s enough tape to see talent, poise.” McCord, who played for Dolphins pass game coordinator Kevin Patullo in 2025 when Patullo was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator, is among the players who benefits from those Thursday post-practice 7-on-7 sessions that the Dolphins hold. McCord told me that he finds the extra repetitions, even though it’s only a handful, beneficial. “Obviously Malik’s getting all those reps during the week,” McCord said then. “So to be able to get some of the plays that we have in for the game plan, getting those live reps, even though it’s only eight plays or whatever, it’s definitely helpful.” Hafley said the same thing, adding that the NFL remains a developmental league so you’re always trying to develop your players. We’ll soon see how fast and how far the Dolphins have developed McCord. Dolphins Q&A: What has Malik Willis shown halfway through season; will Sieler play for Miami again?