Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has a small fracture in the middle finger of his left, throwing hand and did not start Sunday against the Houston Texans.
Jacoby Brissett was the Dolphins' starting quarterback Sunday, with Tagovailoa serving as Miami's backup. Brissett completed 26 of 43 passes with a touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble in a 17-9 victory that snapped the Dolphins' seven-game losing streak.
Tagovailoa was limited with his throws all week and has made progress, but his finger had not healed to the point where he could start against Houston.
He dressed as the backup because the Dolphins are short-handed at the position after quarterback Reid Sinnett recently was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Tagovailoa said he doesn't know exactly when he suffered the injury in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills but suspects it was in the second quarter. He finished the game last week without missing a snap but was limited in practice every day this week.
The injury is not expected to keep Tagovailoa out long-term, according to sources. But Miami has a quick turnaround in Week 10 with a game Thursday night, and Tagovailoa's status against the Baltimore Ravens also is in question.