Miami Dolphins lose at Indianapolis Colts, 5 Instant Takeaways | Schad

The Miami Dolphins’ backup quarterback plan of Skylar Thompson-Tyler Huntley-Tim Boyle has posted a 1-3 record in the absence of Tua Tagovailoa.

Perhaps Tagovailoa will return from concussion next Sunday in a home game against Arizona.

But is it too late?

Miami lost 16-10 at Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon.

The Dolphins are 2-4. The Colts are 4-3.

Dolphins quarterback quarterback Huntley was knocked out of the game with a shoulder injury in the third quarter, replaced by veteran Boyle.

He led a drive that could have tied the score at 13, but Jason Sanders hit an upright and missed a 54-yard field goal with about five minutes remaining.

The Dolphins’ special teams have been an embarrassment this season.

Miami ran the ball with some success (despite two lost fumbles).

Miami’s defense was solid, but once against yielded too many big rushing plays.

The game ended with Boyle threw an incomplete pass on fourth down with seven seconds remaining.

The pass was intended for Malik Washington around the Colts’ 20-yard-line.

Here are our Miami Dolphins vs. Indianapolis Colts Instant Takeaways

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley knocked out of game with injury vs. Indianapolis

Miami predictably pounded the rock

Entering the game, no team had given up more rushing yards than the Colts.

Without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, it was extremely predictable that the Dolphins would pound the ball with De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert and/or Jaylen Wright.

Achane, wearing a Guardian Cap for the first time, was impressive.

And Mostert was getting back into a groove, too. (A third-quarter fumble hurt.)

But Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel did the right thing. He fed his backs over and over and over in this one.

In the third quarter, McDaniel turned to the rookie Wright and he responded.

On back-to-back carries after Tim Boyle entered at quarterback for an injured Tyler Huntley, Wright ran right for 9 yards and up the middle for 19 yards.

De’Von Achane wearing Guardian helmet as Miami Dolphins play the Indianapolis Colts

Unfortunately for Miami, there were fumbles on back-to-back possessions in the third quarter.

First, Mostert fumbled. Then, fullback Alec Ingold fumbled.

Miami totaled 36 carries for 171 rushing yards through three quarters.

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel needs to run it again 40 times on Sunday | Schad

Tight end Jonnu Smith a positive factor

After a slow start to his Dolphins career, veteran tight end Jonnu Smith has become a factor.

It is clear that Huntley has a comfort level with Jonnu, who caught a first-quarter touchdown.

In fact, it was Jonnu and Jaylen Waddle who showed up to run routes for Huntley in Miami’s bye week.

It will be interesting to see if Jonnu continues to be a factor when Tagovailoa returns.

In the first half on Sunday, neither Tyreek Hill nor Waddle had a target. That will change when Tua returns.

Through three quarters, Hill and Waddle totaled 0 catches for 0 yards.

That they have maintained a certain measure of patience in Tua’s absence is notable.

Tyler Huntley texted Jaylen Waddle and Jonnu Smith for a bye-week catch and they showed up

Zach Sieler doing some Christian Wilkins-type things

Miami has had some spotty moments against the run this season, and did again on Sunday, but defensive tackle Zach Sieler has done his part to fill the void of departed friend Christian Wilkins.

Sieler recovered a fumble in the first half. And he continues to display a relentless that helps set a tone for the entire defense. He’s stepped up his leadership role, too.

Because veteran Calais Campbell has tapped into a Fountain of Youth in South Florida, the combination of Sieler and Campbell has been impressive.

In fact, one could argue last year’s Wilkins-Sieler is this year’s Sieler-Campbell.

Campbell, who is playing inside and outside, had a tackle for loss to open the game — again.

Miami’s defense sold under Anthony Weaver

The Dolphins’ first-year defensive coordinator, Anthony Weaver, has done a fine job.

Yes, the schedule is going to get tougher.

But Weaver has installed a multiple defense that dominates on third downs.

Miami has been able to create some pressure, even without Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips.

And Miami’s pass defense, even when missing a starting safety or two, has been excellent.

We get it. Slowing down Anthony Richardson in the air is not close to the type of challenge Miami may face in future weeks.

Here are some of those quarterbacks they figure to play: Kyler Murray, Josh Allen, Matthew Stafford, Jordan Love, Aaron Rodgers (twice), C.J. Stroud, Brock Purdy. So, yes, it will get tougher from here.

Concerns will probably shift from run defense to pass defense in future weeks. The Dolphins allowed the Colts to rush for more than 150 yards on Sunday.

But Weaver seems to have the ability to make some good adjustments and come up with some reasonable solutions.

Miami’s defense, and its defensive coordinator, do not appear to be a problem.

This & That

Rookie Chop Robinson started at edge… Rookie Mo Kamara made his debut at edge for Miami… Odell Beckham, Jr., failed to bring in either of two first-half targets, including a drop… Tyler Huntley picked up a first down on a third-down scramble… There were a few questionable and odd penalty calls on Miami in the first half, including a defensive pass interference on Kendall Fuller, an offensive facemask penalty on Liam Eichenberg, a chop block on Alec Ingold and a hold on tight end Durham Smythe… Julian Hill had another penalty on special teams… Chop Robinson took a shot to the midsection near the end of the first half… Jake Bailey had a nice punt in the first half down to Indy’s 10-yard line. Miami used a new snapper, veteran Matt Overton, with Blake Ferguson on the non-football illness list… Raheem Mostert fumbled in the third quarter, leading to a touchdown to tie the score at 10… Siran Neal made an immediate and excellent tackle following a Dolphins’ punt… Kader Kohou has improved throughout the season and he had two solid pass breakups… Braxton Berrios appears to sustain a lower-body injury on a fourth quarter punt return. He was seen punching the turf… Alec Ingold failed to convert on a third-and-1 late in the fourth quarter… Tyreek Hill had his first catch of the game with about two minutes to play.

Miami Dolphins rookie Chop Robinson has this extremely lofty goal for his legacy

Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.