Hyde5: Skylar Thompson, rookie Washington have good nights; Dolphins receivers get even more banged up vs. Bucs

Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he wanted to put the backup quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson in “adverse situations” to judge them. I’m not sure how that factors into Thompson looking like the better quarterback Friday night in the preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and seemingly to finish grabbing the job.

Thompson’s stats Friday through three quarters: 15 of 18 for 149 yards and a touchdown. That’s the best preseason performance for either quarterback this summer.

The only way it could not be Thompson’s job is how this “adverse situation” factors in. White went into the second halves of the first couple preseason games with minimal help other than receiver Erik Ezukanma against Washington (who he smartly threw to most every play).

On Friday, the situation was even tougher for White: He led the Dolphins backups against the Tampa Bay starters. It went pretty much as you’d expect, meaning the offense went nowhere on the opening, three-and-out series. (Tampa Bay’s starting offense dominated the Dolphins defensive backups on its opening drive, too, going 70 yards for a touchdown).

The problem is against the Tampa Bay reserves on the next drive, White wasn’t much better: On the first play, he threw a couple of Malik Washington steps late over the middle and the rookie receiver didn’t go down quickly, resulting in him staying down on the field and visiting the injury tent for a possible concussion (it was negative and Washington had a night, see below).

From there it was three-and-out. White’s four drives ended punt, punt, punt and punt. He completed 5-of-9 passes for 37 yards.

Thompson then entered midway through the second quarter and took the Dolphins 70 yards on seven plays, ending with a 20-yard touchdown to tight end Hayden Rucci. His second drive ended with a dropped, third-down pass by tight end Jody Fortston. His opening drive of the second half had him roll out and throw a nice pass to Rucci who didn’t come down with it.

Later, under Thompson, his offense had four penalties in five snaps (two holds, a delay of game and illegal procedure). So it wasn’t all pretty – not did it end pretty. Down 10 points with three minutes left, Thompson tried to force a pass and was intercepted. That doesn’t take away from his night, though.

McDaniel’s way of choosing the back-up quarterback is a bit of a head scratcher. Neither of these guys played last season. So wouldn’t they just need good on-field opportunity as much as “adverse situations?” These preseason snaps are valuable for any backup quarterback considering it might be the only time he plays for any length before the season could fall to him in October or November.

Thompson started the first two games and looked better Friday. So, it appears he’s the choice. But, as I’ve written, is Ryan Tannehill not answering the phone?

2. Malik Washington was the man of the game for the Dolphins. The rookie sixth-round pick hasn’t done much to notice this summer. But after he returned from that hit over the middle, he had a preseason night. An end-around pitch for 40 yards. A punt return for 28 yards. A kickoff return for 45 yards. Most rookies make the these days because of their minimal salaries but Washington showed you some roster versatility. The only hope would be his receiving skills were polished because …

3. The banged-up receivers got more banged up. Ezukanma showed up in walking boot after being injured in Wednesday’s joint practice. That injury mattered more because Odell Beckham Jr. is coming back from injury and River Cracraft was hurt against Washington. Braylon Sanders, too.

After returning from injury to make a few catches Friday, Anthony Schwartz had to be helped off the field with an apparent knee injury.

Understand: All of these players have injury history. But the Dolphins had to hope someone would be ready for the first game. As it is, who’s the third receiver for the opener? Braxton Berrios, it seems. He’s healthy.

4. Quick hits:

* Yes, the opening drives were Dolphins reserves against Tampa Bay starters, and so it played out as you’d expect. But wouldn’t you hope some Dolphin reserve would have made a play. Just one?;

* Defensive tackle Brandon Pili, fighting for a roster spot, left with an apparent knee injury;

* Undrafted cornerback Storm Duck, fighting for a roster spot after a good camp, got beat by receiver Ryan Miller for a Tampa Bay touchdown;

* Safety Elijah Campbell hits as hard as anyone on this defense;

* Jack Driscoll has looked good at guard this summer. But backup center? Tampa Bay star nose tackle Vita Vea pushed him backward four or five steps on a third-and-short play;

* Linebacker Channing Tindall, a third-round pick in 2022, had double-digit tackles and a quarterback hit on a good night after two seasons of nothing. He had a nice, open-field tackle and another for a 2-yard loss. The only question is how to keep him on the roster? And do they want to?

5. Remember when four preseason games were too many? We’ve reached that point with three preseason games.